Tokyo: Kei Nishikori gave Japan the lead before Santiago Giraldo evened the series for Colombia at 1-1 after Friday's opening singles in the Davis Cup playoffs.
Nishikori, who missed Japan's matches against Indonesia in February and South Korea in April due to injury, beat Alejandro Falla 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the best-of-five series. But Giraldo earned a point for Colombia by defeating Go Soeda 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 at Ariake Colosseum.
Nishikori and Soeda will team up in doubles against Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah on Saturday.
The winner will play in next year's World Group.
