Wonder if these two have got dinner plans in one of Ottawa's finest restaurants later? They're whipping through these games. We've barely seen a rally on this quick hard court, Shapovalov sticking his first game of the second set on the board in about 90 seconds.

Image source, AFP

Not all going Dan Evans' way in this opening game of the second set. Denis Shapovalov takes him to deuce, but the Briton battles back to hold off his teenage opponent. Shapovalov has got plenty of power, but not quite the poise. Again illustrated by another unforced error as Evans holds.

*denotes next server

Image source, AFP

To answer my earlier question, Dan Evans' first serve percentage was only 46% in that first set. Didn't matter. Not when Shapovalov cracked 16 unforced errors. 

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Red Button

It's tough to say. 

He could make the world's top 30, but it's tough to see past that. He does things differently to the norm and a lot of players don't like it and don't train for that. If he keeps on improving, who knows?

First blood to Dan Evans and Great Britain!

Evans knows another break will wrap this opening set quick sharp - and he smells it. A wonderful forehand return from Evans leaves Shapovalov groping at thin air for 15-15, before the Brit looks up to the roof and groans as he introduces ball to mesh.

He levels again when Shapovalov's forehand hits the net cord and loops up over the baseline, the net cord intervening in Evans's favour again when the Briton pounces on Shapovalov's poor dropshot.

Set point...taken! Shapovalov winds up another big forehand, again he misses the target.

Image source, AFP

Dan Evans needs to get his act together with the ball in hand. Because Denis Shapovalov's confidence is starting to grow. 

A wild crosscourt backhand from the Canadian leftie lands in the tramline, another wild return missing the baseline by the length of a baby alligator. 

Evans goes 40-0 ahead with another misplaced volley from his opponent, then sealing his hold-to-love.

Exactly what he needed. Now he is a break away from the first set...

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Red Button

I don't think Denis has got any doubts about the way he's playing. He feels he has to be aggressive and take chances. If he can convert some mid-court shots, and if Evans continues to serve like this, he's not out of it. 

He's enjoying himself. He looks relaxed. 

The Canadians are a polite bunch aren't they. Not too much singing and chanting as Shapovalov earns the first hold-to-love with an aggressive service. Just vigorous applause. The sort which will leave your hands slightly sore after four hours of enthusiastic clapping.  

Image source, AFP

I'm not sure what Dan Evans' first service percentage is but it can't be great. However, it doesn't matter at the moment. Shapovalov goes over the baseline on game point, meaning Evo holds for the second successive game despite coughing up two double faults.

Dan Evans is cruising along nicely but he's not hit top gear yet. In fact, he's a little jittery with his service game. Another double fault kicks off the game before he roars back to 40-15 with a cute lob over Shapovalov's long blond locks.

Oh no! Another double fault from Evo is followed by a stray backhand down the line and Shapovalov has clawed his way back to deuce...

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Red Button

Denis has been winning some Futures tournaments and playing in the [ATP] challengers. That's where you learn. You don't want to stay in them too long but he's had a good rise and he's not had too big a jump.

It's all a learning process. It's about working out how to play the big points. 

"Come on!" shouts Denis Shapovalov as Dan Evans hammers a loose forehand wide. A gutsy hold from the Canadian teenager, battling back from 0-30 down to keep hold of Evo's coattail.

A high five with captain Martin Laurendeau - at the second attempt after Laurendeau didn't connect well enough - and Shapovalov runs back onto court.

Image source, AFP

Serbia might be leading Russia 1-0 but their banker point appears to be less certain than expected, as Novak Djokovic drops the first set against Russia's world number 63 Daniil Medvedev.

Image source, Getty Images

Chance here for the break back? Shapovalov edges 15-30 ahead after an Evans double fault, only for the Canadian to fluff his lines with a weak backhand from the baseline when Evans invited him into the net.

The Briton goes on to wrap the hold and is looking very comfortable.

The GB girls are getting behind the GB boys...

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While Great Britain are dominating on the court, it is pretty even steven in the stands. "Let's go Evo, let's go!" is being drowned out by Shapovalov songs. Not the easiest name to stick into a terrace ditty.

Shapovalov blows game point when he goes long, taking advantage in deuce with a cute drop shot. And he greases up his side of the scoreboard with a winner that Hawkeye rules to be inside the white line. 

Few words of encouragement for Dan Evans from GB captain Leon Smith at the changeover. Evans wipes the sweat off his racket while nodding along.

Image source, AFP

John Lloyd
Former GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Red Button

Dan Evans is old-fashioned in some ways. There's a lot of chips, charges into the net and serve-volleys. He's unusual. He doesn't play to the normal patterns you see on the circuit these days. 

Image source, Reuters

Star names or not, the Davis Cup first round certainly provides plenty of action across the globe, with Australia having secured a 2-0 lead over the Czech Republic many hours ago in Melbourne, while ties in Canada and the USA are only just about to get under way.

Early news lines are that holders Argentina are, as expected, struggling against Italy in Buenos Aires. With no Juan Martin del Potro, the hosts trail 1-0 and Andreas Seppi is on course to make it 2-0 for the visitors. France have long since wrapped up a 2-0 lead in Japan – the winners of that one potentially hosting GB in the quarter-finals – while Novak Djokovic has just taken to the court with Serbia 1-0 up at home to Russia.

Denis Shapovalov looks like he should be in a teenage, Nirvana-inspired grunge band. And this match could be over quicker than one play of Nevermind.

Dan Evans races to 40-0 in his first service game and, although Shapovalov hits back with a morale -boosting backhand winner from the baseline, the Brit seals a comfortable hold.

Uh oh. Nerves have got to Denis Shapovalov. He takes his time over his first serve, waiting for the crowd to settle down. But when he does get started he's got the jitters. A double fault coughs up a break point, then a clubbed forehand sails into the tramlines. Perfect start for Dan Evans!

Image source, AFP