Canada continue to pay the price for the injury absence of their top two players, with Japan winning Saturday’s doubles rubber to take a 2-1 lead in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie.

Top man Kei Nishikori and unknown Yasutaka Uchiyama beat 41-year-old Canadian doubles master Daniel Nestor and Frank Dancevic 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4.

Canada are missing No.1 Milos Raonic with an ankle injury, which has already forced him from ATP play next week in Zagreb, and Vasek Pospisil, who has nursed a back problem for a month.

The Japanese pair took just over three hours to earn the doubles point at the Ariake Colosseum.

Nishikori and Uchiyama missed out on converting three first-set break points but finally took Nestor’s serve to take the opener with a Nishikori backhand lob winner.

The Canadians did not roll over despite trailing two sets to love. They won the third 6-4 and, in the fourth, Nestor lost serve early but Canada saved a pair of match points in the closing stages.

The Japanese ended with 40 unforced errors to 38 for the visitors, but dominated with nearly 75 winners.

Japan are making a second appearance at the top level of the international team competition for only the second time since 1985.

The Asians’ one win away from a historic first quarter-final appearance.

In three previous World Group appearances, Japan have won just two rubbers, losing 5-0 to Sweden in 1981, 5-0 to the US in 1985 and 3-2 to Croatia in 2012.

Canada are also playing new levels in the top level of the competition, reaching a record semi-final last season but with work to do to win a third World Group tie.