Great Britain’s Fed Cup promotion play-off will be decided by a doubles rubber after Heather Watson lost to Japan’s Kurumi Nara 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 in Miki.

Watson served for the first set and had three set points but Nara fought back to level the best-of-five tie at 2-2.

Earlier, Britain’s Johanna Konta played superbly to beat Naomi Osaka 6-3 6-3.

Anna Smith and Gabi Taylor are due to face Miyu Kato and Makoto Ninomiya in the doubles. Britain will be promoted to the 2019 World Group if they win.

Britain have not competed in the top tier of competition since 1993.

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