Fantastic vocal support from the Birmingham crowd, who are going through their whole repertoire of football-style chants. We're on to the 'Toure/2Unlimited' chant now.

Nishioka and Uchiyama maintain their serve with relative ease, Andy Murray's backhand at the net - into the mesh - wrapping up the game for Japan.

Image source, Getty Images

The Murrays have barely had the surface of their serve scratched. No break points for the British pair to face, in fact not even a sign of a break point for the Japan lads.

Uchiyama lashes a forehand well wide at 40-30 to hand over game two with barely a whimper.

Here we go then. The third set. Can the Muzzas wrap this up early and get back to the hotel for the full-time football scores? They don't have to rush back for their beloved Hibernian though - they're not playing.

Anyway...back to tennis. Japan look a bit nervy at 40-30, but keep their cool to seal a gutsy hold.

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

Image source, PA

"The Murray brothers would be winning Grand Slams if they played doubles together there. No doubt about it."

The Murray brothers take a good 20 seconds to discuss what they are going to do with their first second-set point. Jamie, with ball in hand, is dishing out the instructions to his younger sibling, who scurries off to the net.

Turns out the tactics were quite simple: "I'll belt down a massive serve out wide and he'll not be able to return it cleanly." Done.

Image source, PA

There is more see-saw in this game then there is at your local kids' playground. Japan battle back to set up a game point, but then have to stave off another break point. Andy Murray pings a backhand wide, much to his obvious disgust, as that goes begging.

However, his scowl soon turns to a smile. A third break point for the Scots - and this they snaffle it! Uchiyama's wild overhead smash seals the deal.

GB well in command.

The British pair have another sniff of a break. The Murrays battle back from 40-15 to force deuce, then tee up a break point.

Andy Murray tries a drop volley, but miscalculates it. Badly. He can't believe he's put that into the net! Back to deuce...

Image source, Getty Images

Japan's problem is that they need to crack the Murray serve - whichever Murray is serving. This time they need to decode Andy's, but they haven't got a chance. The world number two is serving well, finishing off the hold with an ace down the middle.

Wouldn't fancy being Japan captain Minoru Ueda right now. He's got one heck of a job on his hands rallying his troops. He barks out some instructions from the sideline, whatever he says seems to have worked. 

Uchiyama's serve at 40-15 is cracked into the net by Andy Murray, putting the Japan pair back within a game in this second set.

The Murray brothers are showing no signs of losing their focus. Jamie's latest service game is impeccable, the British pair holding to love when Andy's net volley is slapped into the tape by Nishioka.

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup captain on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

"It's beginning to look like a bit of mismatch - the Japanese pair have got nothing to hurt the British. They have a pattern of playing and it's just not effective against a team as good as the Murrays. I don't see where they can get back into this match unless the British pair lose their focus."

The Japanese pair are not asking too many questions of their British opponents at the moment. Not that it's dampening the enjoyment of one young face-painted Japanese family, who are smiling and waving at the camera.

Nishioka and Uchiyama do give them something to grin about, ticking their side of the scoreboard into life with a hold.

Image source, Getty Images

The Murray brothers are cruising along nicely. A delicate touch from Jamie Murray, cushioning a delicious backhand volley over at the net, seals an easy peasy hold to love.

"The people at the net get the winning done," says Andrew Castle. Quite. And the Japan pair are giving these Murray boys the net. Big mistake.

Break point for the Brits as Uchiyama goes long as he tries to hurdle the Murray wall.

That goes begging as the Japanese fluke a winner, but the Scottish pair soon have another chance. It's good! Andy steers a backhand through a gap between Nishioka and Uchiyama for an early second-set breakthrough.

* denotes next server

Craig O'Shannessy: My first tennis hero? Martina Navratilova, my tennis hero for life - Roger Federer!

Jane Tatam: Newcombe & Roche, such hunks!!!! Met them at Wimbledon when I was 14. Swoon moment!

Miles Maclagan
British tennis coach on Radio 5 live sport extra

Image source, Getty Images

"A spirited start from the Japanese but you did feel once the British pair got their eye in, and Andy did before Jamie, that the break would come. They will feel very comfortable with where they are right now."

Job done. Andy Murray holds his serve to clinch the first set for Great Britain.

Japan have a sniff at 15-15, before Murray shows why he is the second best male tennis player in the world. What a volley! He stoops low to direct a tricky volley down the line, even drawing praise from his brother.

GB tee up the set point and take it within seconds. Andy's booming serve down the T is returned straight to the strings of Jamie, who volleys in the winner.

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, anyone going to take this match by the scruff of the neck? I'm looking at you two, Murray and Murray.

The Scottish pair do exactly that. From 30-0 down, they turn the game 40-30 in their favour as Jamie's volley is too hot for Nishioka to handle.

First break point of the match. And Andy Murray takes it! The world number two spanks down a winning backhand. Now he is serving for the opening set....