India have lost their World Group Davis Cup Tennis play-off tie against Japan by a 1-4 margin. On the third day of the Tie, in Tokyo on Sunday, India lost both the Reverse singles matches. With the defeat, India have been relegated to the Asia/Oceania Zone Group One. Vishnu Vardhan, making his Davis Cup debut in place of an injured Somdev Devvarman, lost 5-7 3-6 3-6 against world number 55, Kei Nishikori, handing the hosts an unassailable 3-1 lead. Later, Rohan Bopanna conceded the dead fifth rubber against Go Soeda after leading 5-4, due to a foot injury.In the Best of Five Tie, the hosts won all the four singles. For India, the doubles pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna recorded a win by defeating the host combination in four sets on Saturday. 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 the 2012 season.