India's Vishnu Vardhan lost to Japanese Kei Nishikori 5-7, 3-6, 3-6 today in the reverse singles tie of the Davis Cup World Group Tennis play off matches in Tokyo. Vardhan's defeat relegated India's Asia-Oceania Zone Group – One and catapulted Japan to World Group for the first time since 1985. With this win, hosts are leading 3-1 in the tournament. Vishnu was handed the Davis Cup cap after Somdev Devvarman was ruled out of the rubber because of a shoulder strain he suffered during the first day's match against Yuichi Sugita. Rohan Bopanna will clash with Go Soeda in the inconsequential fifth rubber. India came to the play-off stage after losing the World Group first round to reigning champions Serbia and will now yet again strive in the Asia-Oceania Group-I in 2012 season. India had lost both its singles matches on the opening day of the tournament. Indian pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna yesterday won their Men's doubles tie.