Goodbyepublished at 18:15
That's it from us. Join us tomorrow at 13:55 for live coverage of the all-important doubles rubber. Goodbye.
Summary
Davis Cup first round: GB 1-1 Japan (Birmingham)
Match one: Andy Murray beat Taro Daniel 6-1 6-3 6-1
Match two: Kei Nishikori beat Dan Evans 6-3 7-5 7-6 (7-3)
Best-of-five tie, winners secure 2017 World Group place
Goodbyepublished at 18:15
'Dan played well above his ranking'published at 18:13
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-7 (3-7) Nishikori
BBC Radio 5 live sports extraGB captain Leon Smith: "We start with Andy I think when you put into perspective, it has been five weeks since he played a match and to beat someone in the top 100, that convincingly, it just shows how well he prepared, despite the lack of match play.
"I think what Kei did, hats off to Dan, he played a brilliant match.
"Kei is one of the best players in the world, he is so quick but yet again we are able to see Dan play well above his ranking. He had opportunity in the sets there wasn’t that much in it.
"It is great we didn’t have too much time to enjoy it but it is brilliant. It was important we have this home tie and I thought you guys (the crowd) were absolutely brilliant.
"It is such an important tie the format is such that you can be champions and then you can be in a relegation match, there is a lot riding on this, so we go into another Saturday when doubles rubber is very important.
And will a certain Andy Murray make a doubles appearance tomorrow?
"We will wait and see. Hopefully our strongest team put it that way."
Postpublished at 18:05 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Well, it was a gutsy effort from Daniel Evans, but ultimately the gap in class proved just too great to overcome. He did, though, expose a few weaknesses in Kei Nishikori which Andy Murray will look to target on Sunday.
But after day one, it's very much as expected, one apiece. Tomorrow's doubles will be crucial, and it will be fascinating to see whether Andy Murray or Nishikori will play.
Image source, Reuters
Game, set and matchpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-7 (3-7) Nishikori
Evans sprays a forehand wide and it's all over. Kei Nishikori has levelled the tie at 1-1.
Image source, PA*Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (3-6) Nishikoripublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans knifes a backhand wide. Three match points.
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (3-5) Nishikori*published at 17:59 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
A very clever second serve from Nishikori, spotting Evans edging to one side and thumping a serve down the centre.
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (3-4) Nishikori*published at 17:58 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Nishikori gets a look at a second serve, but thumps the return into the tape.
Postpublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (2-4) Nishikori
Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator"I wonder if Dan Evans has anything else to go to."
Image source, Reuters*Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (2-4) Nishikoripublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans nets with a return.
*Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (2-3) Nishikoripublished at 17:57 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Nishikori finds the line.
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (2-2) Nishikori*published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Nishikori sends a backhand long. Evans has the mini-break back.
Postpublished at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (1-2) Nishikori
Jamie Baker
Former GB Davis Cup player on BBC TwoThe quality of the tennis these last three points has really shot up through the roof."
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (1-2) Nishikori*published at 17:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans slightly miscues his approach, and Nishikori beats him with a passing shot. Mini-break.
Postpublished at 17:55 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (1-1) Nishikori
Jamie Baker
Former GB Davis Cup player on BBC Two"That is fantastic tennis. No hesitation whatsoever."
Image source, Reuters*Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (1-1) Nishikoripublished at 17:54 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Well-constructed point by Evans, finished with a smash.
*Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (0-1) Nishikoripublished at 17:53 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Evans floats one long...
Postpublished at 17:52 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Dan Evans has been chasing so hard that he's actually split one of his trainers. We're going to have a short delay here...
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 Nishikori*published at 17:50 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
Nishikori's weight of shot proves just too much for Evans as he nets with a backhand. Match point, saved by Evans with a big first serve.
Nishikori then floats a backhand long. That gives Evans a game point, but that's a superb response from Nishikori, expertly moving Evans from corner to corner and striking with the forehand.
Evans pulls out a big first serve, then Nishikori goes long. Gutsy hold from Evans, and we'll have a tie-break.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 17:45 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
*Evans 3-6 5-7 5-6 Nishikori
*Evans 3-6 5-7 5-6 Nishikoripublished at 17:44 Greenwich Mean Time 4 March 2016
From 40-0 down, Evans gets himself back into the game, with a delightful backhand half-volley getting him to 40-30. But Nishikori comes through. Pressure back on Evans.