(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.

France's quest for their first Davis Cup crown since 2017 continued on Sunday after the country's top male tennis players beat their Brazilian coutnereparts 4-0 to reach the second round of the

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.

France and Spain both won their doubles rubbers to ease through the first qualifying round of the Davis Cup on Sunday, while Canada need to overturn a 2-0 deficit to progress. The French held a 2-0 lead over Brazil following Saturday's singles action,

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.