India rallied after losing the opening singles to level the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group I tennis match at 1-1 in Japan on Friday.

After Prakash Amritraj was beaten in the opening singles by Gouichi Motomura, Leander Paes put India on level terms, beating Takao Suzuki in the second tie on the opening day of the match.

Motomura rallied after losing the first set to beat Amritraj 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 before Paes defeated Suzuki 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.

Paes was in a bit of trouble in the fourth set as the Japanese gained in confidence after taking the third set, but he broke Suzuki to go up 5-4 and then wrapped up the match with a crosscourt forehand.

The doubles will be played on Saturday and the reverse singles on Sunday.

The winner of the tie advances to September's World Group play-off.