MIKI, Hyogo (Kyodo) -- Yoshihito Nishioka won, but Kei Nishikori lost Friday as Japan split the first two singles matches with Britain in their best-of-five first round of the Davis Cup team tennis qualifiers.

Nishioka defeated Billy Harris 7-5, 6-1 before world No. 77 Jacob Fearnley powered to a 6-3, 6-3 victory over 70th-ranked Nishikori at Bourbon Beans Dome in Miki, Hyogo Prefecture.

"It's a good start for Japan and me," Nishioka said after his win. "The players from the two teams are pretty close in ranking, so I was a bit worried. As the match progressed, I was able to play my style of tennis."

Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki will play a doubles match on Saturday against Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski, followed by the reverse singles matches.

The winning team will advance to the second round in September to compete for a spot in the finals.