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

After Prakash Amritraj [ Images ] was beaten in the opening singles by Gouichi Motomura, Leander Paes [ Images ] 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.