Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport

Image source, PA

The British team, with US Open semi-finalist Jack Draper but without Andy Murray for the first time since his recent retirement, has a different feel for the Davis Cup Finals group stage event.

Dan Evans and Neal Skupski, who memorably teamed up in Manchester to secure a "bonkers" doubles victory which put Britain through to the eight-team knockout stage last year, remain in the squad alongside Draper and provide experience.

But Billy Harris - a late bloomer who has just moved to a career-high 101st in the world aged 29 - and 28-year-old Wimbledon doubles champion Henry Patten are handed debuts.

British number two Cameron Norrie is missing because of the arm injury which ruled him out of the recent US Open.

Image source, PA Media

Dan Evans v Eero Vasa

Billy Harris v Otto Virtanen

Neal Skupski & Dan Evans v Harri Heliovaara & Patrik Niklas-Salminen

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

In the space of 96 hours, Jack Draper had gone from playing on Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York to the more modest surroundings of the Manchester Regional Tennis Centre.

Draper landed back in the UK over the weekend before arriving in Manchester on Tuesday lunchtime to link up with the rest of the British squad.

A little later, he was back on court for the first time since his US Open semi-final, spending an hour limbering up at the facility next to Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

Hitting with British number 10 Charles Broom under the watchful eye of Leon Smith, it was a surreal sight.

Not often you see one of the country's hottest young sports stars - hitting on a court next door to a small girl getting a lesson, and a couple of pals having a knock - on a serene midweek afternoon.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here's how Great Britain line up for the Davis Cup.

Coach Leon Smith will guide the team of Dan Evans, Billy Harris, Neal Skupski and Henry Patten.

No Jack Draper today as we have already mentioned but he is court side in Manchester and could enter the fray later this week.

Cameron Norrie is missing through the arm injury which ruled him out of the US Open.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

As we suspected, Jack Draper will not play for Great Britain today.

It seems the obvious decision with the 22-year-old having only returned from his US Open exploits over the weekend.

British captain Leon Smith talked of weighing up "risk and reward" so, with an eye on the upcoming ties against Argentina and Canada, decided to give an extended rest to Draper.

That means 29-year-old Billy Harris - as the nation's highest-ranked player in Draper's absence - will make his debut in the singles.

Dan Evans plays first before teaming up with Neal Skupski - like they did memorably to help Britain reach the Davis Cup last eight here last year.

Draper is in the house, though. I spotted him doing what seemed to be a pre-tournament photo shoot in the bowels of the Manchester Arena.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Great Britain will be backed by a home crowd in Manchester at this afternoon's Davis Cup Finals group stage - and it's live on the BBC.

Leon Smith's team take on Finland today, before facing Argentina on 13 September and then 2022 champions Canada on 15 September in Group D.

All three ties will be available to watch on the BBC Sport website and app, iPlayer and Red Button. You can just click the link at the top of this page.

The top two in the group will progress to the last eight in Malaga in November.

You can watch the below matches and follow live text coverage, plus 5 Live will provide updates through the day:

• 11 September: Finland v Great Britain
• 13 September: Great Britain v Argentina
• 15 September: Canada v Great Britain

Coverage of all ties begins at 13:00 BST.

Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport at Manchester Arena

Image source, BBC Sport

You'll never guess what? The weather is grim in Manchester.

It was a Lowry-esque scene as matchstick man and matchstick women, and matchstick cats and dogs, scurried the streets towards the city's AO Arena this morning.

It's a good job this Davis Cup match is not an outdoor event.

Rain had stopped play in the fan zone in the nearby Cathedral Gardens, however.

When I passed by shortly before 11am, the deckchairs in front of the big screen were still packed away, as were the mini-tennis, padel and swingball courts aimed at getting people picking up a racquet.

There is hope, though. The forecast predicts the cumulonimbus clouds will move on and I actually saw the sun trying to break through before going inside.

Image source, BBC Sport

The last of the 2024 Grand Slams is over after Italy's Jannik Sinner was crowned US Open champion just a few days ago.

But, there's no time for rest on the tennis circuit as Great Britain get their Davis Cup campaign started against Finland in Manchester this afternoon.

Britain exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage last year and will be looking to improve this time around. But they are of course without Andy Murray.

How will they fare without the three-time Grand Slam champ?

Image source, Getty Images