Tennis: Japan's Nishioka to lead Davis Cup charge against Poland

World No. 33 Yoshihito Nishioka will lead off for Japan when it hosts Poland in a Davis Cup World Group I playoff tie from Saturday.

The 27-year-old, who reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time at January's Australian Open, has been drawn to face world No. 273 Daniel Michalski in the opening rubber at Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture.

"I've had good results since the start of the year and I'm satisfied with the way I've been playing. I want to give the team a good start with a win," Nishioka said following Friday's draw in Kobe.

Japan's Taro Daniel, ranked 108th, will meet No. 255 Kacper Zuk in Saturday's other singles rubber.

Ben McLachlan and Yosuke Watanuki will battle Lukasz Kubot and Jan Zielinski in doubles on Sunday before the scheduled reverse singles rubbers.

© Kyodo News