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.
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
James Gheerbrant
That's it from us. Join us tomorrow at 13:55 for live coverage of the all-important doubles rubber. Goodbye.
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-7 (3-7) Nishikori
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra
GB 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."
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.
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.
Evans knifes a backhand wide. Three match points.
A very clever second serve from Nishikori, spotting Evans edging to one side and thumping a serve down the centre.
Nishikori gets a look at a second serve, but thumps the return into the tape.
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."
Evans nets with a return.
Nishikori finds the line.
Nishikori sends a backhand long. Evans has the mini-break back.
Evans 3-6 5-7 6-6 (1-2) Nishikori
Jamie Baker
Former GB Davis Cup player on BBC Two
The quality of the tennis these last three points has really shot up through the roof."
Evans slightly miscues his approach, and Nishikori beats him with a passing shot. Mini-break.
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."
Well-constructed point by Evans, finished with a smash.
Evans floats one long...
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...
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.
*Evans 3-6 5-7 5-6 Nishikori
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.