In tennis, Japan beat the UK in the Fed Cup promotion play-off, dashing hopes of being able to play in the World Group, the BBC reported on 22 April.
The deciding doubles rubber saw Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya beat Johanna Konta and Heather Watson 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 with Watson having earlier lost to Kurumi Nara and Konta beating Naomi Osaka.
The last time Britain competed in the World Group was 1993.