John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

"All the training you can do, when you come up against a player this good, after five weeks out it is not easy. At the moment Murray is a little winded."

I tell you what, Murray looks shattered. He's coming off a five-week paternity break, remember. It's not like he's had his feet up. Breathing hard, looking like he needs a good sleep, Murray can barely muster the energy to get one serve back. Then, with the healing power of Lazarus, Murray starts throwing bombs. 30-30. Nishikori, though, is quicker than a hiccup. Lightning forehand, then Murray long. A hold. 

Image source, Getty Images

Ashley Adam: What a first set that was! More of that please!

Jonathan Hextall: Fantastic rally to end the first set 7-5 to Andy.

Wonderful, wonderful stuff from Nishikori, who has Murray forlornly scampering from Edgbaston to Solihull. Early break for the Japanese. This one could last until Tuesday.

Nishikori is out of the traps quickly, with a Murray ace the only British highlight in a 15-40 scoreline. Three break points...

Jamie Murray, courtside watching his brother, speaking to Jamie Baker : "It is a good feeling. It was an intense start to match, both players were playing at a high level, Andy dropped off after he won that long game to get to 4-1 and Nishikori came right back into it.

"That last point was something else. The crowd is bouncing hopefully he can keep that going in the second set."

Here we go with the second stanza. Murray with ball on strings.

Have a little look at this from earlier on. A flavour as to why Murray is a set up.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator

"That was an hour of tennis was it not? Don’t go anywhere. Brilliant set, both players at times. That was quite something to see."

Image source, Getty Images

Oh, it's epic. Andy Murray wins the first set for Great Britain's as Japan's Kei Nishikori blinks first in an achingly long rally. Baseline slugging, mid-court, then side-to-side, then Nishikori unable to get it to the other side. Birmingham parties as Britain goes one step closer to the last eight.  

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator

"Murray has drawn those double faults with the intent from the other end of the court and the returns he has played throughout the set."

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

"He makes the court smaller, Murray, because he is so quick. Big opportunity here."

Now then. Is Nishikori wilting at the worst time? Double fault, then a forehand into the tramlines. Pressure on, but a backhand that would break a protractor halts the Murray charge. Another double fault! Two set points...

Image source, Reuters

Big challenge, this. Has Murray dumped a backhand smash wide? No! Instead of 15-30, it's 30-15. When Nishikori tries the same on a long forehand, he doesn't get the decision. Murray gets through the hold and will have another look at the Nishikori serve for this first set.

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

"How good was that last rally? Just phenomenal."

Nishikori gets out of Dodge, completing the game by outlasting Murray in a rally that seemed to last for about a month. Riotous in Birmingham. They can hear the noise in Coventry.

Image source, Getty Images

Netted. Nishikori survives, Murray roars like a werewolf howling the moon.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator

"Nishikori's serve is an absolute liability at this level. It is almost hopeless."

It might come down to who gets more first serves in. At the moment, Murray is eating Nishikori's second effort for Sunday lunch. Floating it down. 15-30. Chance for Murray. This time the Japanese lands one first time and doesn't look back, but a wide forehand gives Murray a first set point...

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

"It really is quality out here. Murray had to serve well in that game and that is the constant pressure Nishikori is putting on him.

"It is a good contrast and tough for either of them to put the ball away against each other."