France with 2-0 Davis Cup lead over Japan

Japan are on the back foot in the first round of the Davis Cup, slipping to a 0-2 deficit against France.

Victories to Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon gave France a 2-0 lead over Japan in the Davis Cup. (AAP)

Richard Gasquet and Gilles Simon gave France a 2-0 lead over Japan after singles victories in a Davis Cup World Group first-round match on Friday.

Simon beat Yoshihito Nishioka 6-3 6-3 6-4 in the second singles match after Gasquet overpowered Taro Daniel 6-2 6-3 6-2 in the opener at Ariake Colloseum.

Japan's top-ranked player Kei Nishikori has opted out of the tournament due to a busy schedule.

Yuichi Sugita and Yasutaka Uchiyama are scheduled to play Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the doubles on Saturday.

France holds a 3-0 advantage over Japan in Davis Cup head-to-heads.