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Vancouver, BC (SportsNetwork.com) - Vasek Pospisil beat Go Soeda in the decisive fifth rubber as Canada topped Japan in the first round of the Davis Cup.
The 24-year-old Pospisil won 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in Vancouver to seal the tie. Soeda was nominated in place of Tatsuma Ito prior to the start of play.
Canada entered Sunday's play with a 2-1 lead over Japan, but U.S. Open runner- up Kei Nishikori defeated Milos Raonic.
In a rubber that lasted just over three hours, Nishikori prevailed 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. Raonic was up in the deciding set, but Nishikori won three games in a row.
Canada will play Belgium in July's quarterfinals.
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