(Reuters) -Davis Cup heavyweights Australia and the United States eased through the first qualifying round on Saturday but Britain were knocked out as Japan hit back from 2-1 down to win 3-2, while Denmark staged a dramatic comeback to overcome Serbia.

Great Britain face a Davis Cup relegation play-off after losing their first-round tie 3-2 against Japan. With the tie level at 1-1 after Friday's opening day, Britain took the lead when Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury won Saturday's opening rubber 7-6 7-6 against Yosuke Watanuki and Takeru Yuzuki.

Australia rolled past Sweden in Stockholm as Olympic gold medallists Matthew Ebden and John Peers triumphed in the doubles to book their first home tie since March 2022. "We're all here to fight as a team to get a home tie," said Ebden. "This one is for the team and to take a home tie to Australia."

Great Britain will face a relegation play-off in the Davis Cup after their makeshift team failed to make the cut and were beaten 3-2 by Japan. While Jacob Fearnley gave the side hope, this was quickly extinguished as a poor end to Saturday saw them slump out.

Leon Smith says Britain's Davis Cup qualifying tie against Japan is a "great opportunity" for others in the absence of Jack Draper and Cameron Norrie.

Jacob Fearnley and Billy Harris both lost their singles matches on Saturday as Japan earned a 3-2 Davis Cup win over Great Britain in Miki, Japan to send Leon Smith's team to a relegation playoff.

Cameron Norrie withdraws from this week's Davis Cup tie in Japan, leaving the Great Britain team without any singles players ranked in the world's top 75.

Japan fought back from 2-1 down to beat Britain 3-2 in their Davis Cup qualifier on Saturday to advance to the second round while the United States sealed a 4-0 victory over Taiwan.