Image source, Getty Images

Murray, navy shirt, white shorts, bounces the ball a couple of times then booms serves down towards us, a couple too spicy for Nishikori to get back to the dancefloor. As the crowd chant, Murray is to 40-0 and holds despite Nishikori pulling our one rasping forehand winner.

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator

"Nishikori's second serve is that of a top 100 player only, not top 10, that is the big weakness."

Image source, AFP

Change of ends, Nishikori now serving with his back to us on the sea-blue court. There are some Japanese fans in the crowd, beating some inflatable sticks to make noise as Nishikori breezes to 40-0. Too much pudding on a return from Murray gives Nishikori a very simple hold.

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

"That is the advantage Murray has in this match, he can get some cheap points on the serve."

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator

Image source, AFP

"What a test this for Andy Murray today. He has come through so many in the Davis Cup, Nishikori hasn’t lost in this competition since 2012."

"That is a big hold of serve. To go down a break there would have been bad news."

Murray digs himself out of trouble with the deepest of second serves, then pulls out two more monsters to get through to a very important hold. His last serve was measured at 148mph. Is that right?

Some early signs of the baseline slugging that will characterise the afternoon, and the threat that Nishikori will pose. Don't expect the bandana-wearing Japanese to go away. Two early errors from Murray - one wide, one netted - give away a break point...

Image source, Getty Images

Dan Evans, who will play the deciding rubber if Nishikori wins, speaking courtside: "I have just got to act as if I will play. I will watch three or four games then go in, get loosened off and watch from the massage couch. I want Andy to get the job done but I have got to think that I am going to play until he does win.

"I think Andy is definitely favourite but Kei is playing really well. Andy will do a lot of defending, it is going to be a good match. I would like to be out here watching rather than thinking I was going to be play."

"Time." Murray has a swig of water and gets some final words from Leon Smith. The Briton will serve first.

Miles Maclagan
British tennis coach on Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

“We’re hoping for something really exciting. Kei Nishikori is capable of playing some electrifying tennis but judging on the form both players have shown this weekend, and general ranking and standard, I’d just give Andy the edge.”

Some fans in blue are doing the back-to-the-court Poznan dance. Murray and Nishikori belt down some warm-up serves. Nearly time...

Andrew Castle
BBC Sport tennis commentator

"I am a bit trepidatious about what will happen today but we will see. I am a little nervous about this because Nishikori can take the ball on. We have to respect how good he is."

Image source, AFP

Birmingham is fit to burst, the crowd full of Union Jacks. The players are already on court, having made their entrance through flames and pyro. Murray, in navy, and the red-clad Nishikori and knocking up.

Sophie Harlow: 7am starts from Somerset. I'd only do this for the Davis Cup. #ComeOnAndy #BackTheBrits

And, while you're doing that, you might feel compelled to get involved. In fact, do it even if you don't feel compelled. Text 81111 or tweet using the hashtag #bbctennis. Murray to breeze through Birmingham, or Britain set to be put through the wringer?

And, on our Mothering Sunday theme, is Judy Murray sport's most hands-on mum? If not, who is?

John Lloyd
Former Davis Cup finalist on BBC One

Image source, Getty Images

"Nishikori is one heck of a player. He knows his way around the court and is a class player. It is quite possibly the toughest match Andy Murray has had in Davis Cup. 

"We have come to expect an automatic win in his matches but this is not an automatic win today."

You can watch it all on BBC One and, naturally, read this entertaining and informative live text commentary.

You can find a plethora of visual treats by hitting the live coverage tab at the top of the page.

And when I tell you that world number two (Murray) playing world number six (Nishikori) is, by ranking, the highest quality match across all the Davis Cup ties this weekend, you can see why it should be a belter.

If it goes the way of the Japanese, Dan Evans will meet Taro Daniel in a deciding rubber. How are your nerves, Dan?

Only it isn't.

Murray might have taken Great Britain to glory last year and be on a 13-match winning streak in all Davis Cup singles and doubles rubbers, but he has never faced an opponent like Nishikori in the competition.

And I mean ever...

Image source, Getty Images