A fourth ace from Kyle Edmund brings up a much needed game point but he has no luck closing it out. A double fault at the worst possible time. Deuce again.

Now Andreas Seppi is back applying the pressure with another break point.

Kyle Edmund is struggling to get out of this game. Four times he has to fight off break points, largely thanks to some big serving.

Back to deuce we go for a fourth time.

David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Melbourne Park

Edmund has his hands full here because Seppi is hitting the ball incredibly sweetly and every aspect of his game appears to be working very well.

Edmund hasn't been able to hit many one-punch knockouts which is slightly worrying for him.

Image source, Reuters

Well played Kyle Edmund. There are "ooooohs" and "ahhhhs" from the crowd throughout a 21-shot rally to start this game which goes the Briton's way.

"Come on," shouts Edmund but Seppi's response is good. He hits a backhand winner before a loose ball from Edmund goes wide. 15-30.

Edmund hits back but now Seppi brings up the first break point of the match...

Excellent, accurate serving from Andreas Seppi. Kyle Edmund doesn't get a look-in in this game due to his opponent's first shot of the rally. Seppi has won 10 out of 11 points behind his first serve so far.

Whack. When the first serve and forehand land from Edmund he looks every bit the higher ranked player in this match.

Both of those shots come to his aid and allow him to keep things level in this opener.

So far the power shots have been coming off the racket of Kyle Edmund and he winds up another forehand winner that is measured at over 90mph.

Seppi looks to be playing a defensive sort of game, hanging in and waiting for the errors, and, despite an ace from Edmund, the Italian takes us to deuce in this service game.

Dom Inglot
Great Britain Davis Cup player on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Seppi's shots are fluent and smooth, he has natural power without having a bullet shot. He's very calm and does everything well.

His serve isn't the biggest but he places it really well and it is possible to dictate on it.

But his second serve as we saw just now can be a little lightweight and allow the player to power it back. That's where Kyle can really put the hammer down.

At 15-15 Andreas Seppi comes out on top of the longest point of the match so far as both players exchange from the baseline before Edmund goes long.

The Italian follows that with a double fault though and Edmund is right in this Seppi service game.

The danger is eventually averted by Seppi as he holds but that was the first uncomfortable-ish service game.

Wowser. Kyle Edmund said before this match that he had put plenty of work into his serve in the off season and it looks to be paying off. He bangs down four monster serves and the experienced Seppi can't get them back in play. The last one is the best of the lot from Edmund. A rapid ace out wide.

23-year-old Edmund looks like he's going to stick to the aggressive game that has served him well so far in this tournament. There's no sitting back as he whacks a few more forehands but they're off target and Seppi holds comfortably again.

Shot! Kyle Edmund gets his first point on the board with a beautiful backhand winner up the line and then pounds down a few forehands that are too strong for Seppi.

If anyone reading this is yet to see Edmund in action so far in this tournament he's wearing a bright black and pink outfit. It's a bit jazzy.

Two big first serves and Edmund also wins his first service game without dropping a point.

Not the best of starts for Kyle Edmund as he frames his first return into the stands where a spectator takes an excellent one-handed catch. He then blasts a forehand long and a backhand wide and the Italian takes the first game to love.

* next to serve

Dom Inglot
Great Britain Davis Cup player on BBC Radio

Kyle's new coach Fredrik Rosengren has so much experience and having someone like that in your box really gives you encouragement.

When he tells you to do something he's got a good reason. It's not based on a feeling but experience. Kyle is very relaxed and I think they really work very well together.

Here we go. Seppi to serve first.

Play.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Melbourne Park

After a rousing burst of Taylor Swift, the players are introduced and it’s a marginal win for Edmund in terms of support. Hisense Arena is pretty full for the first singles match of the day on Melbourne Park’s third show court, and although it’s a rather cavernous box that doubles up as a velodrome and basketball stadium, atmosphere is never in short supply at this event.

Who is up following this potential piece of British tennis history with us on a cold January morning in the UK? Or maybe you are following this from further afield?

Please do get in touch on Twitter at #bbctennis and let us know. Give us your predictions too. Can Kyle Edmund win today?

Kyle Edmund gives a little wave mid-shot to the crowd as his name is read out again.

This Hisense Arena holds 9,500 people and looks pretty full. It sounds like there will be plenty of support for the Briton.

The court also has a retractable roof which come in handy later on as some heavy showers are forecast.

David Law
Radio 5 live sports extra commentator at Melbourne Park

Seppi beat Kyrgios on this court last year from two sets down. Yes, Kyrgios imploded but Seppi made him do that by staying calm and not giving up.

Andreas Seppi wins the coin toss and will serve first after the five-minute warm-ups.