Andy Murray Opens Davis Cup Defence With Easy Win

Andy Murray got Great Britain's Davis Cup defence off to the best possible start with a straight sets win over Japan's Taro Daniel in Birmingham on Friday. (Read More in Tennis)

The world number two put the titleholders 1-0 up in the World Group first round tie with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 defeat of Daniel.

The second singles match on Friday will be between Japan's world number six Kei Nishikori and Dan Evans, who was only selected to play after Kyle Edmund failed to overcome a back injury.

Murray inspired Britain to their first Davis triumph in 79 years with victory over Belgium in Ghent in November.

This was the Scot's first match since losing to Novak Djokovic in last month's Australian Open final, opting instead to spend time with new daughter Sophia, born on February 7, and wife Kim Sears.

If Britain beat Japan they will face either Kazakhstan or world number one Novak Djokovic's Serbia in the next round.