Davis Cup: Andy Murray & Dan Evans carry GB hopes v Australia

The Davis Cup semi-final will broadcast on BBC TV, Radio, online and the sports app

Andy Murray and Dan Evans will carry British hopes on day one of the Davis Cup semi-final against Australia in Glasgow.

Victory in the best-of-five tie would take Great Britain through to a first final since 1978.

Murray will play Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first singles match at 13:00 BST, before Evans plays Australian number one Bernard Tomic.

Belgium host Argentina in the other World Group semi-final in Brussels.

What's at stake?

It is 34 years since Britain last made the Davis Cup semi-finals, 37 years since they reached the final, and 79 years since they lifted the trophy.

Wins over the US and France, plus the absence of powerhouses such as Serbia, Switzerland and Spain from the semis, have raised the real prospect of a 10th title.

"It's a big occasion for sure," said Murray. "Everyone views this as a big opportunity."

Australia have won the Davis Cup 28 times, with Lleyton Hewitt leading the way in their most recent triumph 12 years ago.

Evans back in the spotlight

Dan Evans' has been given a vote of confidence by the captain Leon Smith and will face Bernard Tomic in his first semi-final match

Leon Smith's decision to select Evans over James Ward or Kyle Edmund was a surprise, and the biggest gamble of his five-year captaincy.

Evans, 25, has won 29 matches since Wimbledon, albeit on the third-tier Futures circuit, and he beat Tomic in their only meeting at the 2013 US Open.

"My game matches up pretty well to him and that's what I've got to try and do on Friday, play that way again," said Evans.

"I remember when I've lost to someone and that's always in your head."

Tomic, 22, is at a career-high ranking of 23 in the world and said he has put that New York defeat behind him.

"Honestly, I was up 6-1 and 3-0 I think, and I couldn't make a ball after that," he said. "That's all I remember."

And Murray has backed Evans to rise to the occasion.

"Dan's talent has never been in question and I also think he has the sort of personality that gets up for big matches and big occasions," said the Scot. "Obviously some players can freeze in those situations but I don't think that is in his personality, I think he will handle it fine."

Kokkinakis faces mentor Murray

Kokkinakis, who is 72nd in the world rankings, is friends with Britain's Andy Murray

It will be a first meeting between the world number three and number 72, although they practise together regularly and played doubles in Miami.

They have also become friends off court since 19-year-old Kokkinakis has emerged on tour, with plenty of good-natured messages relayed on social media.

"I'm very excited," said the Australian. "Playing Andy first up is crazy. It will be an unreal experience for me."

Murray, who missed the official team dinner on Wednesday with an upset stomach, said: "I spend a lot of time watching and speaking to him, so I know his game well.

"He's a very explosive player but at the same time it's a tough match-up for him as well, and the atmosphere will be challenging for them."

Doubles dilemma for Britain

The length of the first singles match could decide whether Murray is fresh enough to play in the doubles on Saturday.

He played all three rubbers during the quarter-final win over France, winning the decisive third point against Gilles Simon despite near exhaustion.

"In Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot I have two-world-class doubles players who are extremely confident," said Smith.

"You can't be sure that Andy can play all three days, it's a big ask for him, so I want to have those options for doubles."

Back on familiar ground

Great Britain had plenty of support during the quarter-final match against France at Queens Club in July

After switching to the grass of Queen's Club against France in July, Britain return to the slow indoor hard courts of their first-round win over the US in March.

The Emirates was chosen to host the semi-final after larger options such as the Glasgow Hydro and Manchester Arena were unavailable.

There are 800 more seats in use at the Emirates this time as capacity has been extended to 8,000, meeting the minimum requirement for a semi-final.

"When we played here in March it was great and I expect the same again this weekend," said Andy Murray. "I would imagine it will be even better."