Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

That is a very significant hold for Billy Harris, rather more so than if it had been a serene hold of service to love or 15. He's come from 15-40 down, four points on the bounce. That'll give him, surely, a real injection of confidence as he maintains the break advantage.

Saved! Billy Harris draws the error from Otto Virtanen to save the second break point then puts the pressure on at the net to eventually take the hold.

From 15-40 down he takes the hold. That is surely a huge confidence booster for the Brit.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

Harris made such a noise on grass this summer with his exploits at Queen's and at Eastbourne after success in the Challengers on the lawns as well. Here he is, in his Davis Cup debut, with the opportunity to clinch a crucial victory for Great Britain.

Important for Billy Harris to consolidate that break of serve now with a hold.

He overcooks a forehand at the net for 15-30 then can only shank his return miles out of court to hand Otto Vertinen two break points.

He saves the first with a smash volley. Let's see what he can do with the second.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

Good return and rewarded at the third time of asking in this opening set. Advantage Great Britain. Billy Harris, the debutant, makes the breakthrough. Round of applause from captain Leon Smith.

Agh, Otto Virtanen saves the first break point but Billy Harris will have another go.

There it is!

A brilliant backhand return wrong foots the Finn and it's advantage Harris on his Davis Cup debut.

Woops, a skewed forehand from Otto Virtanen comes after a skewed backhand and is this a potential opening for Billy Harris?

The Brit has two break points.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport

Dan Evans ensured Great Britain's quest to reach the Davis Cup knockout stage started strongly with a hard-fought victory in their opening tie against Finland, as Jack Draper was rested.

Evans, 34, won 7-6 (7-3) 6-2 against 703rd-ranked Eero Vasa to put the host nation 1-0 ahead in the best-of-three Group D tie in Manchester on Wednesday.

"It was a difficult match; he played great at the start. I knew he would come out and play aggressive," said Evans.

"I found it tough for a long time to get the ball-striking and I started to play better in the second and better at the end."

With US Open semi-finalist Draper not included, the late-blooming Billy Harris was handed a Davis Cup debut in the second match of the tie, knowing he could secure victory.

British men's number one Draper sat out this opening tie following his exploits in reaching the last four in New York last week.

Read Jonathan's full report

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

A love-hold, promising start from Harris. He's not going to lack for vocal support, the crowd played a huge part 12 months ago in getting Great Britain to the knockout stages.

Chants of "Let's go Billy, let's go" from the Manchester crowd are being accompanied by a brass band, who have so far been playing a little tune after every point.

An impressive hold to love from Billy Harris keeps us on serve.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

Both players settling their way into this second singles match, we're on serve.

Billy Harris' backhand can only find the net as Otto Virtanen nudges back ahead with a hold to 15.

We remain on serve at the change of ends.

Otto Virtanen sends his forehand return long then his next one wide and that puts Great Britain's Billy Harris on the board in this opening set.

That should settle the nerves somewhat for the Brit.

Dan Evans got Great Britain off to a positive start with a straight-set win in Manchester on Wednesday, and these were the best moments of the match.

Philip Studd
Davis Cup commentator

A nerve-settling service hold, an awkward game for Virtanen, fended off break point and is on the board.

Otto Virtanen has had to fend off a couple of early break points from Billy Harris but slams down an ace to take the hold.

A slightly awkward opening game with both players getting a feel for each other.

So, Great Britain have a 1-0 lead in the tie with Davis Cup debutant Billy Harris up next and receiving first against Finland's Otto Virtanen.

* denotes next server

Colin Fleming
Former British tennis player

Billy Harris will be playing his first ever Davis Cup match today so with that in mind, I think you have to put [Otto] Virtanen as slight favourite, maybe without the [Great Britain] support that could help balance things out for Harris but it could also make him a little bit more nervous so I wouldn't be surprised to see this go down to the doubles.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

You may have heard about Billy Harris' journey. It's been a long road - literally.

The 29-year-old used to travel the world on low-level tours in a van, parking up to sleep in McDonald's car parks as he looked to play his way into the big time.

Eventually, he has got there in a remarkable tale of perseverance and desire.

In November, he was a hitting partner for the British team at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Now he's part of the real deal.

"He’s had to wait a while for a breakthrough but he’s done the hard yards," said British captain Leon Smith.

"He’s had a really good two years to get to this point where he is on the cusp of the top 100.

"He fits into the team brilliantly. We had him with us as a hitting partner and it’s absolutely brilliant to see him as part of the main five now."

Read all about Billy Harris' story here.

Image source, Getty Images

A warm welcome for Billy Harris, who is up for Great Britain next as they look to complete victory over Finland.

He walks out to the strains of Oasis. Well, it is Manchester. Wonder if he got a ticket? And he will be hoping to roll with it on his Davis Cup debut against Otto Virtanen.