Summary

  • Davis Cup first round: GB 2-1 Japan (Birmingham)

  • Doubles - A Murray/J Murray beat Nishioka/Uchiyama 6-3 6-2 6-4

  • Best-of-five tie, winners into quarter-finals

  1. Goodbye!published at 16:45

    Time for the Murrays to grab some food and retire to the sofa for the night (especially you, Andy).

    The world number two needs to recover for tomorrow's big clash against Kei Nishikori - and I'd suggest you do too.

    We want you back here at 13:00 GMT, feeling ready and refreshed, for the deciding day of Great Britain's opening Davis Cup tie. See you then!

  2. Elsewhere in the Davis Cuppublished at 16:40

  3. Nishikori going to be tough - Andy Murraypublished at 16:37 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Great Britain 2-1 Japan

    World number two Andy Murray on the prospect of facing Kei Nishikori: "I played well against him last year.

    "He's ranked sixth in the world so he is one of the best players out there. It's going to be tough, but I'm playing well and hopefully I can play another good one tomorrow. 

    "If not then Dan Evans is capable of winning his match as well. We've got two chances of winning tomorrow."

  4. Tomorrow's actionpublished at 16:33

    Great Britain 2-1 Japan

    So we're over the hill of this Davis Cup tie - and holders Great Britain are ahead. The hosts need to win one of tomorrow's two singles matches to seal victory and secure a quarter-final place.

    This is the expected line-up...

    Andy Murray v Kei Nishikori

    Dan Evans v Taro Daniel

    Play starts tomorrow at 13:00 GMT, don't forget to follow the action on BBC TV, radio and online.

  5. 'Bad decision'published at 16:29 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    John Lloyd
    Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

    Kei Nishikori of JapanImage source, Getty Images

    "I was shocked by Japan's decision not to play Nishikori. I can't understand it. It was a bad decision."

  6. Jamie 'not surprised' by Kei absencepublished at 16:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Kei Nishikori's absence must have been greeted with joy in the Great Britain dressing room, right? Probably. Although Jamie Murray claims he wasn't that shocked by the news. 

    "I wasn't really surprised. My coach thought they were going to play him. But Kei played a long match with Dan Evans and has not played much doubles for Japan. I thought they were going to stick with this pair."

  7. Match highlightspublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Just tuned in and missed all the action? Don't worry. Here's our highlights package...

    Media caption,

    Murray brothers beat Japan to win for GB

  8. We make a decent team - Andypublished at 16:20 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Andy Murray and Jamie MurrayImage source, Getty Images

    Andy Murray: "We know each other's games extremely well - so that helps. When the ball goes into a certain part of the court I know what shot he will hit and vice-versa. My strengths and his strengths make a decent team. It was a good win today."  

  9. We were solid - Jamiepublished at 16:19 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Both Murray boys have been talking to on-court interviewer Annabel Croft on BBC One - here's what they had to say...

    Jamie Murray: "We played a great match from start to finish. We were very solid, it wasn't easy because they played some good shots and gave us some tricky moments."

  10. Postpublished at 16:16

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    shake handsImage source, Getty Images

    The Murray brothers both break out in wide smiles after that match-winning point, embracing each other before shaking the hands of their opponents. Two lucky punters managed to snatch sweat-soaked Murray wristbands, then the players return to their seats for a post-match debrief from captain Leon Smith.

  11. 'Great serving'published at 16:14 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Miles Maclagan
    British tennis coach on Radio 5 live sports extra

    Jamie and Andy MurrayImage source, PA

    “Another really solid performance from the British team underlined by great serving from both – they didn’t have to face a single break point, which was quite remarkable. The tie is pretty much poised where we expected and the good news is Andy Murray is in some real good form.”

  12. game, set and match

    Game, set and match - GBpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 6-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Andy Murray is the man charged with wrapping this match up for Great Britain - and that is exactly what the Scottish brothers do.

    Muzza junior started the match with a hold to love and he finishes it in the same manner.

    Great Britain lead 2-1 ahead of tomorrow's two singles matches.

  13. GB breakspublished at 16:06 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    *Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 5-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Andy Murray of Great BritainImage source, Getty Images

    Right then...is this the break that 9,000 Britons have been waiting for? Team Murray battle back with three straight points to tee up their first break point of the third set.

    They've got it! Uchiyama's serve is returned with interest by Andy Murray, forcing the taller Japanese player into weakly palming in the net.

    Great Britain serving for the third set - and for the match...

  14. Postpublished at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Andy Murray, despite playing his first match yesterday in a month, has found some nice rhythm today...

    Media caption,

    Andy Murray's stunning winner against Japan

  15. Postpublished at 16:00

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 4-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama*

    Another Murray serve, another comfortable hold. The Japan pair have not troubled their opponents' serve. This time the Scottish lads hold to 15, thanks largely to some more aggressive net play.

    A break any time in the next few minutes will do them rather nicely...

  16. Postpublished at 15:56

    *Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 3-4 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Great Britain fansImage source, Getty Images

    The boisterous Birmingham crowd ramp up the volume again as the British boys go 30-30. It only serves to spur the Japanese pair into life initially, Uchiyama pouncing on a weak Jamie Murray forehand return from the baseline to swat away for 40-30.

    The Murrays nab the next point for deuce, only for Nishioka and Uchiyama to seal the hold on a replayed point after a rogue out call.

    Andy's mis-hit forehand into the net ends that game - Andy almost ends his racquet before holding back from smashing it into the blue acrylic. Nearly.  

  17. Postpublished at 15:51

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 3-3 Nishioka/Uchiyama*

    Andy Murray does not look like a man who has not played much tennis in the past month. He's grooving along nicely, firing a serve that can't be returned down the T for 40-15. Then he lets his brother take control, Jamie knocking back a couple of net volleys before Nishioka overcooks an attempted lob.

  18. Postpublished at 15:47

    *Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 2-3 Nishioka/Uchiyama

    Yasutaka UchiyamaImage source, PA

    Simple. Uchiyama rattles off a service game quicker than it takes to boil an egg. He starts with an ace out wide, before his partner finishes the game with a net volley.

  19. Postpublished at 15:45

    Murray/Murray 6-3 6-2 2-2 Nishioka/Uchiyama*

    The Murray serve has been impeccable throughout - this time it is Jamie's turn to excel again. The Japanese players have no answer, Nishioka gets his strings to Jamie's final sliced serve but cannot return it cleanly.

  20. Postpublished at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time 5 March 2016

    Not been loads for the Japan players to smile about so far - but here's one happier moment from earlier.

    Media caption,

    Japan hit return winner against GB during the Davis Cup