First Round - Great Britain v Japan: Day 3 - Part One Davis Cup

The battle of the ones features Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori. What a

volley. That was class. That really was exceptional. He closes out in

some style. Lovely control from Nishikori. Such a clever move from

Nishikori. Murray and Nishikori, two players in the top six in the world.

Not to be missed. When this tie was announced, the match everyone was

looking forward to would be between the number one players and it is

coming up. Andy Murray takes on the world number six, Kei Nishikori. The

fans arrived anticipating a great match between two of the best shot

makers in the business. The British fans will be expecting another

Murray triumph, so impressive is he in the Davis Cup, but this is the

highest ranked player he has ever faced in the competition. It was

even on day one but then the Murray brothers came out with another

victory yesterday in straight sets against Nishioka and Uchiyama. If

Andy Murray wins, Great Britain will go through to face either Serbia or

Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals. It's not going to be easy, is it?

Nishikori is a great player, top ten, finals of the US Open. He has

not got a great record against Andy but here's a great player. This is

the best player Andy has played in the Davis Cup. In this case, it is

not an automatic win for Andy Murray. He will have to work hard.

Nishikori is a tricky player with a lot of shots. Yes, and he can take

the ball from the baseline and protect his territory. He sometimes

gets thumped by Andy Murray and everyone here will hope that happens

again but I have a bit of trepidation about what will happen

today. We will see. Andy Murray had a few weeks of the

tour -- off the tour for the birth of his daughter. He loves this

atmosphere and he will love this welcome. ANNOUNCER: Please welcome,

Andy Murray! CHEERING

They have probably decided not to play the music because they knew the

cheering would be so loud. He really thrives in the Davis Cup. Yes, 28-2

in singles. Both of his losses were away on clay, so here's the lost a

home tie. This is the highest ranked opponent for him but playing at home

is significant. I am a little nervous about this because Nishikori

can at times take the ball on and take the match right away from you.

Whilst we anticipate a Murray victory we must respect how good

Nishikori is. I have been feeling concerned about this. He played

pretty obviously by his standards on Friday, he will play better today

and he has nothing to lose, the Japanese man. He is a shotmaker,

Nishikori. I agree with Andrew, I am a bit nervous about this as well

because normally speaking when you have taken a break, four or five

weeks, sometimes it is good, sometimes bad, but normally you will

go into a normal tournament and somebody like Andy Murray will have

some easy draws and then get ready to play well. Now he is going

against a world-class player, will he be rusty after five weeks? He has

looked so sharp in practice, hitting the ball so well. But it is

different taking that on a match court. It is interesting when it

gets close. I will say this... CHEERING

That is just fantastic. I hope people stick around for this. The

only time Murray last... Lost to him, after a year at his back

surgery, all those match points against Tommy Robredo, 2014, the

rest of the time Andy has absolutely killed Nishikori because he can

nullify everything he has. The movement, the power from the back of

the court, it works great for Andy. That is a big advantage for Andy

going into this knowing he has eaten him up badly most of the times they

played. Let's hear from the players. How do you prepare for the challenge

of Andy Murray on Sunday? It is not going to be easy. He is the number

two player. It will be a tough match. He has improved in the last

couple of years and he is one of the best in the world so it is a big

test, big challenge. We are similar. He has been doing much better things

and he is much bigger here but it is great to see him and I learned a lot

of things from him. He is a great model for me. He has played a lot of

matches in the last few weeks, he won in Memphis in similar

conditions, so he will be a little bit more shark family. I beat him

once two years ago so I have a little bit of confidence. To play

Hamlet is always a challenge and a great matchup so I am very excited

to play him. I have played well against him in the past and

hopefully I can do the same. It is a good matchup for Andy Murray. We

have put together at the rankings of the players he has faced in recent

years. Simon was a battle. He has beaten some good players. When we

said this was the toughest match in terms of ranking, Nishikori is above

most of these players, here's our very top player. Last night, I

guarantee Nishikori had a chat with his coach, who is not with him, but

in my opinion has made a big difference to Nishikori in the past

few years. He has given him extra confidence and belief to take the

next jump in rankings. He is a threat now in any Grand Slam event.

I don't think Andy Murray will want to be too passive. He has beaten

them before but if he gets passive then Nishikori can take it to him.

I'm sure Michael Chang said to take the ball and when you can because

Andy Murray will be all over you. Michael Chang has made a big

difference and wants him to be more aggressive. If Andy Murray wins then

that I will go to great Britain but is not it will be done to Dan Evans

to take on Taro Daniel. Let's savour the atmosphere a little more.

There is a noticeable difference in terms of the noise level. It is a

difficult situation here for Dan Evans. If we could grab a quick word

for you. What is it like for you, you don't know whether he will play

today or not, but take us through your preparation? I have to act as

though I am playing. I will watch some games and then go and start

listening off and watch the match from the massage couch. I want Andy

to get the job done but I have to think I am going to play until he

wins, or hopefully he doesn't lose. You were the last person to play

against Nishikori salt waters and Andy up against? -- so what is Andy

up against? I thought Ken is playing really well. It's going to be a good

match. I'd like to be watching it but for a neutral person watching it

will be great. Everyone will really enjoy this. You have been in the

summer Davis Cup ties but what is that the sphere like this weekend in

your hometown? Every day of the Davis Cup in England or Scotland,

wherever it is, the fans are jumping up and down like lunatics, the

British fans are unbelievable, and we can't back them enough. Hopefully

you are not needed today but good luck if you are.

STUDIO: He seems very relaxed. It is one of those things that when you

play behind Andy Murray, you expect 99 times out of a hundred year are

not going to have to play. But I think this time the could be a

decent chance Dan Evans has to play. He must stay fired up in the locker

room. If he relaxes too much it is not a good thing. The captain has

asked the crowd to be really noisy because he knows Andy Murray likes

the crowd get involved, he is lifted by them. Ken Nishikori -- time

Nishikori is a character. He is an absolute star in Japan. He can't go

anywhere without being mobbed. He is a superstar. Japan feel like they

have a potential grand slam winner. He's quick, he has big four and, his

double handed backhand is good. This will be a very good match.

Interesting about the first served for Nishikori. Murray will do

everything to put him off. His returning service so great but he is

so much more aggressive and the second serve so Murray will try to

take charge right off the bat. Fairly routine for the last couple

of days but it will get very interesting, Andy Murray against the

world number six Ken Nishikori. COMMENTATOR: The storm of the

build-up and now perhaps the Khan. Can Nishikori do better than he has

in the past against Andy Murray. Now that is an early warning sign to

the 9000 people in the Barclaycard Irena who might have thought they

would just see a tour of triumph for Andy Murray as we have seen so often

in the Davis Cup. This is the sort of rally we will see a lot of today.

It will be physical. UMPIRE: 15-15. The next generation

of the Stirling University barmy Army. They will play their parts

today. What a test this is for Andy Murray

today. So many tests in the Davis Cup. Nishikori hasn't lost in this

competition since 2012. That second serve was very, very

deep and very wide and it had enough spin on it to bring it in. That was

very accurate indeed. That was close. Maybe the umpire has seen the

Hawk-Eye. I wish we could. Well, that is a big hold of serve. I

notice the first game and the opening shots in this match but to

go down a break and be ambushed would be bad news but he came

through it. I'm not sure if the speed gun was wrong but the last

serve came up at 148, I don't think he has ever hit one at 148. That was

a huge serve if it was 148. I didn't see that. I was watching, my

eyesight isn't that great these days but I could have sworn I saw that.

Murray can get it on the serve and that is the advantage.

The thing to watch with Nishikori is, yes, the movement, where he is

playing from, is he at the baseline or just inside? As a lesson, the

preparation so early. The ball, mid-court, racket up, feet ready and

he absolutely talks -- tonks it. That is just supreme from both

players. That one point, the second serve, Murray steps in and cracks

it. The footwork from Nishikori enabled him to get back in the rally

somehow. That is a top ten player you're looking at right now and he

deserves to be here, he is dangerous.

Fault. A quarter finalists this year at the Australian Open, Nishikori.

He beat Philipp Kohlschreiber underway. He lost to Novak Djokovic,

ran out of energy, like everyone does.

Late at night in Japan they will be watching this match and it will be a

happy Mother's Day theme. Judy Murray, who I'm sure is here, and

Mrs Nishikori in Japan, she is a piano teacher.

That is a big four and. -- forehand. Backhand is the more solid of the

two but the forehand is the big weapon. He created a lovely angle,

and a lot of pace on that goal. It has to be quick to get past Murray's

defences, that's for sure. It is another good hold. Three of

them in a row. Davis Cup action on the BBC and just wonderful to see

it. So much talk of whether the Davis Cup format should change,

whether it should be every other year. Happy to take your views on

that, or anything, Mother's Day messages for example. There is Judy

Murray. She must be so proud to watch Jamie and Andy today. The

website is the way to get in touch. Send us an e-mail. Judy Murray is

the Fed cup captain, and Heather Watson has done so well this week in

Monterey in California, defeating Caroline Garcia and Caroline

Wozniacki. She is in the final of that tournament. Driver, so --

Johanna Konta quarterfinals. Concentrating on this match of

course, but Sue Barker and the rest of us trying to keep across what is

happening in the other group matches in the Davis Cup. Serbia have a job

on their hands to get past Kazakhstan 's. Novak Djokovic has

lost the first set. That's what he does so well these

days. He has really improved on that. I remember the days on those

second serves he would stand by in the baseline and get their rally

going. Now it is a weapon, he steps in three or four feet and puts you

under pressure after the first strike.

Put pressure on his opponent's first serve because they know if they miss

the first served he is going to do that, so do the slow it down and

make sure they get more in it? It is all these battles the corn that

makes it very interesting. Oh, dear. What a nurse was he doing. He was

late, he should have bounced it. He has exactly the same problem on the

overhead as on the serve. The top of his body comes around a little too

quick and he hates it like a shot put. That is a joy when somebody

misses one of those. Two break points.

It's that serve. It always leaves a mark here. It is getting a little

bit late to challenge, to be honest. Why would he challenge that? Miles

out. No damage done. But Mary on top of

the Nishikori second serve, gets the break -- Andy Murray.

Big Dominic Inglot two had to make way for Andy Murray in the doubles.

I am sure that he would have partnered with Jamie Murray to win

the doubles yesterday as well. Great rally. Fantastic tennis, hope

you're enjoying it, we certainly are. It really is class, both of

them, the court coverage... It is wonderful. It is the technique as

well, even on the full stretch, that is why you do the physical work to

be on balance and recover, you cannot hit a ball and run into the

crowd, exhausted. I thought you would like to!

Unlucky with the net cord, Murray. Down the line, it was more effective

before the pace was taken off it. If you have got Nishikori, heartrate

around the 110 Mark, you have done well.

Just long, it is a break point. It is getting a little bit cross with

his first serve. Just above 50%. He has missed the last two from 30-15

up to 30-40 down, break point once again. That second serve is a work

in progress, the pace he was using was 102, he needs to start doing

that in big matches. He needs to do that against the likes of Novak

Djokovic. It will become a habit if he keeps doing it, you will get a

couple of setbacks, but you have to keep with it. If he takes the place

off here or still goes for this... -- pace.

Yes! This is absolutely monstrous terminus. I am really enjoying it.

-- tennis. Really tough professional tennis, the basics that these two

guys are demonstrating is what is so impressive. Always what marks out

the excellent from the merely good, the basics and the command of them.

So good. I'll lock there were he was pulled out wide on the forehand and

instead of belting it he got more spin on the ball, hit it deep and

high into the midpoint. It got him into the position where he could go

for the big ball. The small things that make these players the players

that they are. The shot-macro selection is so good. -- shot.

Well, the battle has been won in this set, the war has not, but the

first five games have gone to Murray and both players are playing well.

The first 20 minutes, we said, well 23 minutes, it is Murray in command

of the set, tremendous. We talk about coaching in Britain all the

time and why we cannot produce players... I hope there are coaches

watching the use of percentages. The technical expertise, the repetition

of doing the right things at the right time, because Murray is giving

a masterclass in the percentage tennis at this point. It is quite

something to watch and it is not about the spectacular, the easy

stuff he does well. Exactly right. It is repetitive, over and over, he

has done it in drills for hours every day and Tino is the right

shots to play at the right time and with Nishikori with a

5-1 losing record against him and you play games were you are playing

well, you are down 4-1 and Nishikori is experience, but in these mini

battles, Nishikori is finding it very hard to get ahead of Murray.

Even when he hits his forehand, Murray chases it down and Nishikori

is having to do it a little too much. Murray so far is showing a

masterclass. There will be aired and flows in five sets, but what a start

for the British number one. -- ebbs. That double fault is purely and

simply because of the pressure that Murray is putting on him in the turn

-- return. That is more than he hits on the second serve but he is having

to think about doing that or else he knows the ball will come at him so

fast and he will be behind in the rally. Again, Murray will feed off

that. He has helped that in the wrong place, should have gone down

the line, he is having a good link at the moment, Kei Nishikori. We all

know how dangerous thinking can be! -- think. What were they thinking

when they put all those polyester suits on?

Murray saw about one but it was a quality drop shot off of good serve

and are relatively easy point finale for Nishikori, you see how quickly

Murray was off after that one. Nishikori news that shot well

against -- Daniel Evans. He disguises it well -- used that shot

well. Once again off a first serve.

Nishikori able to work. Serving and first serve percentage, we go on

about it but you have to remember that you have to get a high

percentage but you have to keep your opponent guessing, make them think,

where am I going this time? If your opponent is off balance, that is

good. Murray is going for the backhand on the ad court. We will

see how that develops over time. Interesting that serve placement.

There were no body serves there. In the mind of Murray, he thinks that

Nishikori did such a good racket work and he feels it is better to go

for the big first serve and get cheap serves on the eighth rather

than going into the body. Nishikori can get out of the way quickly. Yes.

Exhausting. Very good. When he is going down at the line, watch where

he is playing it from, Nishikori, his baseline or inside a lot of the

time. The ball arrives so quickly off the Nishikori racket... He could

do with a couple of big first serves there. Murray took a long time for

serving. He tried to smack a big serve away.

There you go, that is that serve, 87 mph, that's liked a little bit and

that is what Mary has been doing to him and that is payback -- Murray.

He held it so well with that two-handed backhand. Beautifully,

the way he extended down the line on that shot. His coach used to have

that shot. The first time I saw that one, climbing the invisible ladder.

How was that for a second serve, or 109 mph, this is how we expected,

world-class matchplay, no matter what are -- what happens, this is a

match to be relished. So aggressive in that point with the second serve.

That backhand! He just rifled it! That is a magnificent break of

serve, superb staff. Murray will be upset about it, but Nishikori,

willing to take the ball on and down the line the shortest difference

between the returner and the server. Magnificent play, hats off to this

young man. A quarterfinalist at the Australian Open and a former US Open

finalist, we are not surprised to be seen this level. No, that was an

impressive break because he played so brilliantly to get up to 0- 40

and Murray had not played a great point. The second serve, there was

no hesitation when he got the chance to smack that back down the line,

that was a very good break because Murray has been playing very well

and to come back that quickly, this is turning out to be a very

high-quality match already and it is a pleasure to watch. Two big stars

of the world game, we know all about Andy Murray, Nishikori was the

newcomer of the year in 2008 and they do not just give that away,

that is a real accolade and since then, he has been as high as number

four in the world. He is currently at number six and is on a 12 match

Davis Cup winning streak, the last man to beat him was Kalem Richardson

in 2012. 12 straight match wins -- Karlovic. Murray is the man for the

job. It is going to take a lot of concentration and a lot of hard

graft to get through Nishikori. He is back on serve, three, four.

He has just pulled it. What a rally. I can assure you that ball is not

new any more! The distance they are running is quite something. And this

court, the speed of this Court lets you have these types of runs. It is

good to play them, it is not a fast court and neither of the players is

finding it hard to put the ball away and you get these wonderful rallies,

it is exhausting for them. That is wide. Both players just

pointed straight to the roof after that point. That rally was not going

to last a long time, Murray has exhausted this point, he will come

back, that was wide. He does not want another rally. Unlike the first

point, he took it on. Big service game coming up for

Murray if Nishikori makes it 4-4. First point of this game was a real

test. Murray recovering over the next couple of points. The last four

points have been quick, explosive. He is in the game.

OK, so here is the game. The last 16 or 17 minutes have been very poor

for Murray. Nishikori has come back from 1-4 down to 4-4 in this set.

This is the end that Murray has faced break points.

First base. First ace of the match. -- ace.

That is why people do not volley any more. Nothing wrong with the

approach, really. You can just find so much power and pace with these

rackets and particularly with the strings these days, how can you

volley, it is like a well taken penalty, you cannot save it. --

rackets. And that is that and that is the

first time in just over 20 minutes that he has seen his side of the

scoreboard ticking over. Nishikori had been coming back, that is a fine

hold of serve and one that was absolutely required. During the map

-- did you enjoy the match? Quality out here. Murray had to serve well

and that is the course of the pressure that Nishikori is putting

on him. It is short, Nishikori is coming at him, if he can stay with

Murray, he is as quick as Murray, it is a good contrast. Ta for either of

them to put the ball away against each other. -- tough. Whilst

Nishikori was winning members and plain other tournaments, Murray had

two weeks of, the most since his back surgery in 2014 for the birth

of his daughter, Sophia Olivia. It is not long time, it is just big

change. He is going to travel soon, to Miami with Sophia for the first

time and he said they are quite portable at that age! So many

wonderful times ahead for both him and him. Certainly back into the

fray after that time off. -- his wife. This was the first time, this

trip to Birmingham, his first time on the road after the birth of

Sophia. I know he was not particularly looking forward to

going away, but it is not anything else that anyone else has had to

endure at times. Wow, that's a good point. Murray was

on the second serve, all over it. That drop shot, it has to be hit

exactly at the right time and you could see where Murray is deep.

Anything inside the baseline, Murray will get it, but he had a chance,

but it was perfectly timed, perfectly executed.

His serve is an absolute liability, isn't it? At this level. He is a

superb player but that second serve is almost hopeless at this level.

Especially when playing someone who can take it on the rise and coming

behind him puts you straight under pressure. It is a big one here. Does

he go for a little more? Murray is going to step in.

Zero - three on first service in this game.

Murray knows he is in a freezing point Nishikori is serving. Time for

a big effort, 15-30. Never got a chance to get in that

rally, Murray, always defending. Couldn't hit the ball deep enough. A

matter of time really. He got his first serve that time and never

looked back. Super hitting. Look where he is, six foot inside the

baseline. His four and was -- four and was

that bit wayward against Dan Evans at times but today it has been very

effective. A great game. Nishikori saved the

set point, no help from his first serve in the first half of the game.

How good was that rally? That was just phenomenal from both players. A

reminder of where we are in this title. It is best of five in the

Davis Cup. In the doubles, and the and Jamie Murray won in straight

sets. Two singles today. The number twos of both countries will play if

required. Dan Evans may yet be called upon to play the fifth

deciding match. He is giving him the runaround,

beating him with his own game. Nishikori not volleying but electing

to stay back. Andy Murray doesn't like to miss anything but he has had

four drop shots against him and he has lost all the points. He prides

himself as being the quickest out there. He does not like to lose

those shots and that is four times now.

The ball was cold out. The volley was gorgeous. He got the lob but

backhand is a difficult shot and he has played it perfectly.

30-15. Why wouldn't a sport add Hawk-Eye? Stop moaning about it and

do it. That is a rant for another occasion.

The Japanese bench, Nishioka who may be called into action later, he was

up and out of his seat, or at least I think so, he is five foot six. He

said challenge. This is why you want Hawk-Eye. A

situation like that that would have been 15-30 and in the old days you

can't believe some of the calls he would get. Football is going to do

just that, I don't how they will implement it, but you want the

person who should win the point to win it. In the old days it was very

difficult. Justice was served there. Excellent hold.

When Murray's career comes to a close, maybe a lot of years from

now, it is going to be a lot of years until he sees somebody as good

as this come along. Not just the actual tennis, the talent, the gift

for the Hyundai automation -- hand- I coordination, but it is the

dedication since he left home at 15 for these moments. He has taken it

such a high level and it is a joy to see him pushed today. To see him

pushed by another world-class player in Birmingham on Sunday afternoon,

you have to love it. Approaching one hour in this first set. Murray was

4-1 up and Nishikori came back. He must serve to stay in their set.

He knows where Murray is. Chasing after that one. You tend to go for

it a little bit more, don't you? He makes the court smaller, he is so

quick, Murray. A big opportunity here.

Two doubles in the game. Murray has drawn those double faults with the

returns he has been making over the course of the match, and we intend

he is broadcasting down the other end. It is a part of matchplay.

It didn't quite catch it out of the middle of the racket. Must have been

timing. It buys him a few seconds. A tactical challenge, just wanted to

regain his thoughts. Angry at missing that.

That was an hour of tennis, was it not? Don't go anywhere. Brilliant

set for both players at times. I'll tell you, that was quite

something to see here in Birmingham, a set to Great Britain as they try

to wrap up this tie in the Davis Cup as defending champions against

Japan. Let's get a flavour of the atmosphere.

This is becoming a bit of a habit, you win on Saturday and watch Andy

take care of business on Sunday. It was a good feeling. Intense start to

the match, both guys playing high level. Andy dropped off a little

ones he held the long game to get to 4-1 and then Nishikori came back

into it. That last set point, that was something else. The crowd are

bouncing and hopefully Andy can keep the momentum rolling in the second

set. Take us through your journey of the last two years, massive rise in

the rankings, and maybe explain what part the Davis Cup has played. It

has been huge for me. Last year I played four important matches and it

gave me a lot of trust in myself, belief in my game, and I could

translate that into the main tour, grand slam matches, and start

getting more wins. Have you had any time to take up your uncle duties

yet? Two hours at a time and I think she spent at sleeping.

COMMENTATOR:. Europe Mother's Day messages. I would love it if you

could wish Margaret Richardson are happy Mother's Day. Happy Mother's

Day to my beautiful mum, Jackie. Could you say happy Mother's Day to

Suzanne Hodgson in black, Blackpool? To Wendy who is watching Andy before

starting her new job tomorrow. Good luck with that whatever it may be.

One hour of very intense Davis Cup tennis, which is what it is like so

much of the time. More in just a moment. STUDIO: The players are

coming back on but let's tell you what is happening elsewhere. Novak

Djokovic is for- four in the second set having lost the first one to

Mikhail Kukushkin. France have won against Canada. Germany against the

Czech Republic, Tomas Berdych retired after two sets against

Philipp Kohlschreiber. That is what is happening elsewhere.

COMMENTATOR: Tomas Berdych was no doubt exhausted. He went the

distance on a one and played in the doubles as well. His 50th Davis Cup

win this weekend, no surprise he is exhausted.

A quick start from the Japanese player.

Do you remember how he had to gauge against Simon -- dig against Simon?

This is what I've said stars to you, the third day of five set matches

even though it hasn't gone the distance yet. As much as anything

physical, it is a mental process. An unforgiving challenge. A long way to

go in this one. Nishikori is not going away too easily. He is a

fighter. Beautiful point. Absolutely must --

masterful construction from Nishikori. Murray is very annoyed at

himself. I think he just had a slight let down there after that

intense first set. His footwork on a couple of ground strokes was not

quite right. You can't have these little ebbs. You can't afford to

give those sort of breaks away. Credit to Nishikori to come back in

that fashion after losing a very close first set. The game is still

on. Take a seat quickly, please, ladies

and gentlemen. Murray just not getting his huge

right on the backhand. -- his feet. Again, all the training you can do,

if you have had a break of five weeks and you come up against a

player of this class that quickly after the break in a best of five

set match, it's not easy. Murray is a little winded, but he'll get that

back. If you're slightly tired, why not

finish the rally so you don't have to do any running? Huge return.

How good was his footwork in that rally?

Just lightning around the court. Goes down the line at the last

minute. So quick. The umpire is asking the lineman if

he called that one. The ball was called out.

He did so well to get to that drop shot. Just rushed that overhead.

He did not know he messed that ball. It looked at the start of the second

set he is trying to be more aggressive. He has decided he has

got to go on the attack a little bit more.

Finally! It is the first point that Murray has won on the Nishikori drop

shot-macro. Nishikori claim that drop shot-macro, the ball has that

much further to travel in the air and it takes longer. -- shot. It

takes more time for Andy Murray to get on top of this. Let me talk

briefly about what happened in Australia. Australia are blamed the

United States. The tie has gone to the United States but Bernard Tom

Arce lost to John is in. His courtside microphone picked up some

words he was saying to Lleyton Hewitt. Two times he has done it and

he did not back away from this in the post match conference. He did

this last year against the Czech Republic. He said, he is still sick,

but I will be better tomorrow, so it is weird for me. That is Tomic on

Nick Kerry asks. Lleyton Hewitt has inherited a

potentially great Davis Cup team but he has also inherited a volatile

group and welcome to Davis Cup captaincy from me! That is the voice

of experience there, John Lloyd. It is not easy keeping these young fit

wealthy hot-headed athletes together at times. Can you imagine managing a

football team? CE, the reason I can say that about

neck, he is going to have to be a big boy and take criticism on this

-- Nick. He has said them Actually Andy Murray is a big fan of

Nick. So am I, he has been playing great tennis and when he is on the

television, you do tend to notice. Rumours keep going around about John

McEnroe helping him. He is a big fan of his as well. You would wonder if

he would have time to do that. I do not know if Nick would have that

sort of money either! That is a big mess. There is the

shot there. -- this. -- miss-macro. -- miss. Take it easy.

He certainly would have had a word or two. Certainly, with two break

points. The ability to go flat and hard on

the backhand and change the trajectory of the ball and get it

through the court with pace, it marks Murray out in this match. That

one there. It opens the court up for his forehand. Excellent reaction to

the disappointment of missing that volley before.

He hit that hard, nearly broke the racquet! They do not make them like

they used to! I am glad they do not make shoes like they used to.

Imagine a pair of green flash, you would have taken out the ankle! You

have to be accurate when you thump yourself there. That to me is a

nonsense row, a code violation. The only thing he did any harm to was

the racquet, per racquet! That is nonsense. -- who were racquet.

What a sharp to! That is the best shot he has head all day. -- shot.

From that position on the port, that was superb -- hit. We are right on

the line. The obvious shot was to hit about to get him back in the

points. He changes the angle, goes behind his man, that was just

absolutely outstanding. That was a snake strike, he did not see it,

buying. He had virtually nothing to a mat, all that he knew was that

Nishikori was recovering to the middle. Excellent recovery. -- he

had virtually nothing to aim at. Not a bad reaction to smashing his

racquet head on the arch of his foot. Definitely fired up at this

point. Oh dear! He makes it so difficult.

Annoying if you are playing him, you cannot put the ball away! What is

amazing to me is this man, we will respect the movement of Andy Murray,

we have seen it so many times, but the overhead, the second serve,

similar things from Nishikori, they are really bad! Perhaps they did not

teach on that one correctly. -- teach him that one correctly.

So good. So good there. That little delicate shot, he just chipped it

down low, that is what kept him in the rally, still had a lot to do to

win it, but this shot here, just did so well, got him back for a chance

to hit this shot, wraps it around the outside of the ball. He is

playing well. What a good passage of tennis this has been over the last

ten minutes or so. Well, 15 minutes of spirit sapping

Murray tennis as far as Nishikori is concerned. Murray from to love down

is now 3-2 up in the second set. Let us have a word with Jenny Baker.

Both these guys have got fantastic returns, I want to illustrate, you

have a good view of what Andy Murray is doing with the return. We can see

the court. His starting possession is in line with the other side of

the advertising board and returning the serve just behind the baseline.

On his second serve, he is standing on top of the baseline and in the

last game, his contact point was two metres inside. If you match that

with the game from Nishikori, his weakest point is the serve and his

second serve, you put yourself into his mindset, over five sets, can you

imagine how that feels? The best return in the world, up against him.

The only saving grace he has is that the court is very slow and he has

time to get back on the point. I would not want to be facing the

return from Andy Murray on this surface. There is a bloke just down

to your right with the burgundy sweater and glasses, I think you

just stamped on his to accidentally! I will say sorry to him in a minute!

Jamie Baker, he won away on clay in Argentina and it was a great win.

Actually, you were Davis Cup captain for that match in Argentina, what

were you thinking, picking him? I had no choice. I think someone else

fell down and hurt themselves! No, he deserved to play, he deserved to

win. Important for Nishikori that to stop

the rot. Three all in the second set and no

doubt both sets of players are fatigued. Your concentration changes

over a five set match, you're thinking could be three hours left

and you sometimes hold a little bit back but you need to know the moment

to give it all. At times you have to time your best efforts over five

sets in a different way than three sets.

Your feeling that Murray is a little fatigued and that is showing itself

in a slightly wavering concentration level. A few more swear words come

out, he starts looking at the bench, that is the way he expresses

himself, he will often not win from here. But he is playing against a

fellow who can take advantage. This is not some 40 or 50 in the world

player, a genuine top ten contender. That says 149 mph. I do not believe

that. The ball was called out. That would

be the biggest server of his career. Absolutely. He hit 148 -- 148

earlier on. I suppose that would count, it is official.

Fine ball. And an important point at 30-30 to go for it like that.

And that is away, excellent matchplay for three. That is a late

challenge, that is. Every time that is late and you know it is late.

Miles out, that was such a late challenge though. It was a late

challenge, but I mean, it has to be done in a clear and timely manner.

It is the point that Leon is making on behalf of his player. He expects

them to do that, that is what you are there for. What is clear and

timely? The point is, the serve was miles out and it was the second

serve. The key thing is, that was the right thing.

That is a super forehand. No point in going mad now.

I have to be honest, that first serve at 4030, if the ball is that

far out, the umpire should be all over it -- 40-30. It is on the side

of the umpire. He should have had to say, I am sorry, that is too long

between Serbs, for the challenge, it was way too long. -- serves.

Advantage Great Britain. Is he going to challenge that one?

Did not even require that. He has missed it. Murray is sending a

message out to his opponent, amp I and everyone else. Well pumped up

now. -- umpire. It is funny what you need from a coach, we were talking

about Nick Kyrigos, suggesting that John McEnroe might be interested in

the job. He is a master puppeteer and a great guy, whether or not he

would work with him, I do not know. Ie Did not even think that Ivan

Lendl would coach. With someone like Nick Kyrigos who is talented but is

a little bit up and down with his mind, I think sometimes you may have

to get one of these super coaches who has won Grand Slam is because of

the respect value, it does not mean if you have been a great player you

will be a great coach but that respect level for someone like Nick

Kyrigos, he could be used well, not to keep him in check, because you

want that sort of flair, but you have to have someone who can hold

him in a bit and went to do the stuff he does otherwise he will be a

fun player to watch but someone who will

never win big matches. When Ivan Lendl went with Andy Murray said he

had to take on the ball, move inside the baseline and you cannot afford

to counterpunch among the best players. He was the first person

that Andy Murray listen to and changed his game. For years the same

thing had been coming out of other malls and it had either been

disregarded or shelves. Absolutely. That is the power of the authority

in the voice. Michael Chang, another one of the super coaches, he works

with Nishikori. It would be a strong coaches tournament these days,

wouldn't it? He is annoyed at himself because he

actually had this one. Plenty of time, that was not a very good

volley from Nishikori and Murray had a lot of options and a lot of time

there as well. Murray did not do enough with the

approach after doing good work with the lob. And we really are

approaching money time in the second set of this Davis Cup tie. Great

Britain in defence of the Davis Cup, they won last year against Japan.

They had to go the distance in more ways than one to win that one. This

man won all four offers single matches last year and has not lost

since 2012. Quite a contest this one. A fifth match will be played to

decide the tie if Nishikori can win this match.

News from the Pioneer indoor arena in Belgrade, the world number one is

in action, Novak Djokovic has made it a set all. The winner there are

plays the winner here. It could be a fifth match this Novak

Djokovic makes it the decider. -- if Novak Djokovic makes it a decider.

Brutal. Excellent play, Nishikori. Talk about resistance. How do you

get this man unbalanced? This was the one. Slid into it like Djokovic.

Superb play. It is fun to watch but I don't know how much fun it is for

the players. Exhausting. The rallies we have had so far, just fantastic.

That still is the advantage that Murray has, comparing the players.

He can serve his way out of trouble. A fifth ace there. He'd pay a lot

for a sixth. She gave. Lovely. -- cheeky. That is

class. It is all about having the presence of mind. You need to

maintain your control. Look at this. Nicely done. Just a little wage over

of the bunker, not much green to play with.

It is wide. What a game to get out of.

The news from Serbia and from all the world group matches, eight of

them are taking place around the world. This is the World Cup of

tennis, if you like. Novak Djokovic is getting the runaround from

Mikhail Kukushkin. Djokovic is now a break down in the third set. It is

must win for him. I have to give credit to Yannick

Noah, captain for France. Electing to play a home tie in the French

territory of Guadalupe. The Caribbean is lovely at this time of

the year. A great captain to play for. Where would you like to play? I

vote for really close to some of the best beaches in the world.

If this caught the line, they will have to play two. No, it was wide.

The ball did not affect the shot from Nishikori but it was wide.

That was an excellent overhead. His overhead has been poor today. I

thought when it went up you might miss it but it... -- but he took it

very well. When somebody down the other end is defending with such

anticipation as Murray has, and some people read the play so well and

time their movements, you tend to change the style and motion.

Sometimes you have to take your opponent out of it and just hit the

shot. You know Murray is going to be standing in the right place.

No way he won that point. Incredible court coverage.

Great Britain leads 6-5. Andy Murray first came your as a young man with

his brother Jamie and a lot of their friends, the junior tennis section

in Dunblane and Stirling. Judy Murray was the coach and drove a

transit van to see the Swedish team narrowly defeat the British under

Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski. All these use later, here he is. You

know full well there are people in the crowd here who will be getting

inspired. I was talking to some youngsters yesterday and their

parents who were willing to bring them here. So inspiring to see them

play. A great advert for the game. Youngsters in your watching this

kind of tenants, if that doesn't inspire you -- this kind of tennis,

if the atmosphere doesn't inspire you, nothing will.

More great tennis in Birmingham at their women's tournament at the

Edgbaston club on the other side of town this summer.

That is the Edgbaston Priory club that was redeveloped. I should say

Priory otherwise I will be told off by the former chairman. Some

hairdresser! Oh, yes. What an exchange.

Crosscourt forehand is. Is this the moment Murray pushes edge? -- pushes

ahead? Oh, what a retard and that was! --

return. I can't believe he went for that. If you're fuelling it, go for

it. Oh, what a point. What a point.

Murray, never really got a chance to get ahead in the rally, always

playing catch-up. Still, what nerve from Nishikori.

Two set points. Well done, Nishikori.

Four straight points for Kei Nishikori. That is brave. Murray has

lost four straight points and must recover quickly. No time to lick

your wounds. He played a couple of incredible returns. And then 15-40,

marvellous serve, then he played loose points. It was like adrenaline

took over and he overcooked a few balls. He has to steady himself for

this tie-breaker. Mid afternoon in the UK, just gone

20 past midnight in Japan. I am sure a big TV and radio audience are

watching one of their sports heroes trying to make it one set all. It

has been years since he has come back from a two set deficit. It is a

must win for Nishikori. What a passage of play this is from

Murray. He just doesn't look like he's ever going to miss, just rifles

it down the court. So much control of that side.

Strange, isn't it? So good there for 4-0 and then two sloppy points.

After you said he'd never miss a backhand. It is going in fours at

the moment. Four straight points from Nishikori to get into the

tie-break, four straight points for Murray to go 4-0 up. This is where

playing at home can make a massive difference. That's what deserve --

that Lott... Lot deserve a lot of credit. Murray will really start to

think if he loses that one. Now, then. The ball was called out.

Three straight points gone and he has relinquished much of his

advantage. 4-3 Great Britain. Great Britain has one challenge remaining.

Very good play from Nishikori. Four straight points. He followed that

for and knowing full well Murray had to make up an awful lot of ground.

His forehand doing the trick. Oh, he has put that wide. Five

straight points. What's going on? Seems to me it is a sign of the

rustiness of being out five weeks. Credits to Nishikori but some sloppy

errors from Murray. That, to me, is slight mental fatigue. Two and a

quarter hours and not even two sets completed. The umpire is doing a

good job of staying out of this. Taking too long between points but

who cares? Do you know, you have to credit the

Japanese player and a game, he had a real good luck and if he had done,

he might have lost the point and made himself on rubble. He stayed

back and not two shots later, he won the point, well done, mate. He

really was thinking about coming in but from that distance on the court,

Murray would have eaten him alive. Discretion and valour and all that,

set point, this time to Nishikori, Murray has already had two. It could

change on this point. That did not last too long, did it?

That is his bread and butter serve on the outside. He has improved his

down the middle serve but that is the one he goes to is about 75% of

the time and he smacked that one away. That is what coaches will know

as well, either coaching with him or against him, everyone has a go too,

that comfort blanket and that is his. Of course. Even if you had

known where it was going, you could not get it, it was 132 out on the

line. These Davis Cup moments are enough to turn at your hair grey!

There is a photographer there and he does not have any hair, as a matter

of fact! Come on everyone, you know it is six all, if you're a

professional covering the sport, come on!

That is just brilliant. No hesitation whatsoever on the

backhand. Nishikori's head is hanging! He was

on his knees, he thought he had done enough with the approach. Looking

good for Judy Murray, her youngest is in control, two sets to love,

Great Britain looking good for another Davis Cup victory but there

is still work to be done, Nishikori will remain a stern opponent but he

has taken a blow to the solar plexus there, no doubt about that. Let us

go and get a bit of the vibe on the courtside. I am sure it is an

exciting place to be. Let us join Jamie Baker. From the point of view

of a player, it looks like unbelievable tennis, what are you

seeing? I do not think you would have expected anything less. It is

brutal out there. When they get to a baseline rally, they are going to to

to, there is nothing in it, tennis at its best. What may be decisive

now? Are you seen anything? I think Andy is starting to return well,

getting close, on the service games, he is starting to find the spots, it

looks like he is getting more of the second serve now, but when then gets

on his forehand, he is solid, there is still a long way to go. Are the

notes being used during the match? I have to be ready. If Andy wants

something, if Nishikori is serving on the wide side, Andy is probably

picking that, if he needs to know something, we are ready to give him

the information. Thank you. Having a quick look through some of the

notes, how many times has keep Jones comeback from two sets down? He has

done it twice. -- Kei Nishikori. There was Santiago as well, he lost

it at the French Open in 2010. It is quite another thing with respect to

those players, they are not Andy Murray in the Davis Cup at home.

From this point of view, you would have to say, he is probably a 20 or

30 - one shot. But we do not mention betting in tennis! Despite the great

irony of half the sponsors of the sport being betting companies, but

that is a chat for another time. When you are two sets to love down,

it is rough. Someone like Nishikori, he has come back from that and my

new a top ten player, you do have that believe that you can always

win, but that was a big blow to lose that second set. But for Murray on

the other side of the court, he knows if he can get an early break,

just put that pressure back on and hope... Single hander. Improvised

well there. You can put that pressure on and see if he can get

rid of the resistance out there. This was a lovely shot, one hand.

Jo-Wilfred Tsonga does that sometimes. Single hander. Just for

fun. That was good. Well held from Kei

Nishikori who is flirting with a lot of mixed emotions because he had

that set point in the second set tie-break and Murray served a 132

mph ace out wide on the left at 56. And those are the moments. The

margins have been so small in this matter, it has been exceptional

tennis, almost two and a half hours and number sets played and that is

unbelievable. -- two. The de Vrij takes place and everyone

has to be out of here by two o'clock in the morning -- de-rig.

Badminton Championships taking place.

Recommend any tennis player to play some badminton when they are young,

great service motion. The racquet snaps on the overhead if

you play other sports when you are young. Why not?

I am not sure... He is thinking wide as he do that? Fatigue after that

second set, it was casual but it turned out to be brilliant. It is

the role shot, executed beautifully! -- wrong shot.

India Wales is the next up for these players, the first of the Masters

1000 series in the ATP Tour which darts next week. Kyle Edmonds is in

that, by the way. He got in when the cut-off dropped and that is good

news. Andy Murray will be playing doubles

as he gets used to playing outdoors again when they change the services,

the players like to play sometimes after the French Open, they may play

doubles at Queen's Club. The same thing. He will be playing with Colin

Fleming in the doubles. I asked which side he would play, and he

said whichever side and he wants me to play! -- Andy Murray.

That was not a pretty point! He is going really ballistic with himself

at the moment, Murray, he has gone 2-0 sets up and he seems troubled, I

think mentally, it is a very tiring match when he has been out of the

game this long. He knows, he wants to win this and does not want to get

dragged into a longer match, but he is fighting a bit against himself,

he is a bit fatigued and plain shots he would not normally do and he is

parading himself for it. -- playing shots. -- their rating. Hard to

people to understand from the outside, being so cross with

himself. Nishikori does not give much away, he looks just like he did

in the first set, he does not look like he is 2-0 sets down at all.

News from the pie in the at Belgrade, Novak Djokovic has lost

the third set -- pioneer. If he loses it, Serbia are finished and

they will lose the first round. The winner of this plays the winner of

that. Rather like in the doubles, you have

to admire the spirit and the Japanese squad despite getting

pretty well hammered by a Jamie Murray and Andy Murray they were

there right until the end and Nishikori is not going anywhere.

Where is Kazakhstan? Is it a home tie? , Novak Djokovic! -- come on. I

was asking Nick what he thought would be decisive and I think I

picked something up, there are so many baseline exchanges, but one

thing that Murray started to do was really flat out his backhand. You

see this early on in the tie-break, he is in one of the long exchanges

and you can see that he stays in the point and he really steps in. It is

not so much the power, the second aspect is how flat the ball actually

is and it can go through the court. It really does, it is a penetrating

backhand shot. Thank you, Jamie. It is something we continue to look for

in his game. Really what has marked out this match in the last few

minutes is Andy Murray is struggling with his concentration and little

bit. There are so many Airbus and flows in a five set match. -- ebbs.

This is another role, I think this is exaggerated with the crowd coming

in and stopping, players have to accept it is going to happen. --

rule. After two and a half hours of watching, people do need a rest and

to go and get a drink and take it easy for a few minutes, perhaps get

some fresh air. 105 mph, second serve, John. Like to

see that. It will bode well for the rest of the season.

That is twice now on that side. Two winners of the back of the return. A

few times he has got ahead of Murray on the second serve, it has not been

a big feature. You might call that a bit of a body swerve. -- serve. We

might have seen the reason why there.

If the players do not see something, leave it!

Some powerful returns of server from the Japanese number one. -- serve.

Strong mind, I have to say, Nishikori, he is not going anywhere.

This time just raised racquet in a timely manner and the ball was then.

Good challenge, but no reward. Advantage, Great Britain.

Game, Great Britain. Some brilliant serving from Murray to get himself

out of trouble. Two games all. Japan has two

changes. Please close the doors, security guard, thank you. Obviously

it is a multi-event arena, 9000 in configurations. That is of the

tennis court. Perhaps the staff here not quite as familiar as they might

be with the tennis. The tennis scoring system and etiquette.

One feature that has been noticeably strong here has been the ball boys

and ball girls from a school here, they worked the classic and are well

trained already when they turned up here.

Beautiful to watch, he should have won it a lot earlier, Kei Nishikori.

He held his nerve well. Should have put that one away. Beautifully done.

It is 40-0 and I think Murray will have to let that one goal now. --

let that one go. He said it and then changed it at the last minute. He

was waiting to delay it. He is just having a little bit of a Pope at the

umpire for allowing a challenge from Nishikori in the last set -- poke.

He is so difficult to beat in any way, he will not go away, Murray, he

is a determined man, he really is. He has come up against a good

opponent today, this is fabulous tennis and we all thought it would

be close, even if he comes out to win this third set, Murray, it has

been very tight in the first two sets.

The trials and tribulations of Novak chocolates in Serbia on the minds of

some people in here. Match against Serbia would be attractive right

after Wimbledon -- Novak Djokovic. I do not know if he wants to make

service changes. I am sure the British team are hoping that

Kazakhstan, it would be a whole match, they could play on grass,

right after Wimbledon. -- a home match. It is a little bit nicer to

play. Where has our cameraman Gordon? He

found himself in the corporate hospitality area, I think that was

his glass of wine in the front! Did you say Kazakhstan away? Home, on

grass. Serbia would be away. That service is going to win him a

lot of points this year on the circuit, the rhythm he has got, so

good. Three games all. The Davis Cup,

always three days of excellent entertainment, one all after the

singles on day one, Britain won the doubles yesterday, straight sets for

the Murray Brothers. Andy Murray trying to finish up his first-round

tie against Japan to set up backlash against Kazakhstan or Serbia as the

defending champions, Great Britain. Starting off in the form that they

left last year, behind Andy Murray. I have to say, John Lloyd, it is a

bit of a concern that his concentration is in and out,

fabulous effort to win the second set, but he looks cross with

himself, almost three hours out here now, he is tired, very tired.

He holds the top-spin for land and it looked like the obvious shot was

to go crosscourt and it looks like he's going to go crosscourt and just

inside out, fractionally late, waiting till his opponent makes a

move. Very good shot, done that a couple of times today.

These are difficult, difficult yards now. For Murray to cover. He is

definitely hurting. A little bit of adrenaline. Right now, he looks like

he has had all the energy sucked out of them. Nishikori will not be

fooled. The single hardest match he had in

last year's run to the Davis Cup title was the match against Simon in

Wimbledon. They had a wonderful doubles victory, but Simon was a

taxing opponent. He had the same look about him around about this

same time. Perfectly understandable. The good thing so far, you can see

he has been struggling a bit but the server has got him out of trouble.

If he gets more fatigue, the legs will go a little, you will start

seeing more first serves missed. He is holding on but if it drop so

little we could be in trouble. -- if it drops a little.

If we have a fifth match, I don't know the Japanese will play. I don't

think it will be Taro Daniel, it might be Nishioka. A left-handed

player who has been good lately. Qualified at the US Open last year

and won eight round. -- around. It could be him against Dan Evans for a

fifth match. It is a long wait. He is hungry now. He once a lot from

the bench now. This is about Nishikori's good play, yes, and

Murray is looking at the bench too much. He needs to concentrate on

himself. It will pump his opponent up if, like at the end of this year,

he is looking over at the bench for help. -- this here.

His physical trainer does a lot of the training. Dieticians, the coach,

the doubles coach, Jamie, of course. He made one first serve in this

game. A couple here. He needed that, badly. Excellent

serve. Makes life a lot easier when you get

a serve like that and you can take charge of the rally.

Wide. 105 mph as well, did he go for that on? This self-flagellation is

not helping him. It helps his opponent, no doubt. It is not a

criticism, just an observation. He is tying himself in knots trying to

get the job done. Too long. It is the break that

looked like it would come. Nishikori will serve for this third set, the

quickest by a margin. Difficult to read, Murray. He has this negative

look, looking at his bench but you know his game, once the ball has

been served he has come to come at Nishikori. But the body language is

not great for him at the moment. That is a bonus. Solid on that site

today, Nishikori. A bad miss, first point.

You don't see that very often. What a time for that ace. On court three

hours and only his third ace. A big serve at 121, but how accurate?

Right on the line. Nishikori is thinking ahead. A

little bit too eager. Just didn't see him missing that,

he's been so good on that shot. A good kick from Nishikori. It goes up

pretty high. The balance was off. He has picked him off down the line.

Kei Nishikori is not world number six by chance. He has earned it.

There would have been those in Japan going to bed when it went 2-0 sets

but they could have been a bit premature because the could be an

awful lot of tennis left to play. 2-1 to Great Britain now. Let's go

down to the courtside. We have spoken a lot about the

British team and Andy Murray. We haven't given the Japanese much of a

chance but now they have something to shout about. No sign of any of

their other players on the bench, if Kei Nishikori can come back, they

will not be playing -- they will be playing. The rallies are very

gruelling and you can get a sense, you can look into the eyes of the

players and they were both feeling it in the third set, trying to

conserve energy. I think Andy needs to settle down in this set and get

back to playing the tennis he can. He is still favourite. I know it is

difficult to hear down there but what can you say? You know Andy

Murray well, you trained with him, you have worked out, what can you

say to Andy Murray when he is getting negative like this? Canon

Lianne Smith say anything? I don't think you say much. You can see him

just sitting beside him giving him whatever he needs. Here's his own

breeds, Andy Murray. He is so competitive, almost a John McEnroe

type of character, and only they can perform at his best when he is this

pumped up. Thank you very much indeed. Just

coming to three hours on court. Three sets played at a gruelling

match. The wrong bat for Nishikori. 2-1 down but with the momentum.

Great Britain is still one set away from the quarterfinals of the Davis

Cup. That was a bit of a bluff approach

from Murray and it got what it deserved, Nishikori right at it.

Every game is important but this is a big game and he must re-establish

himself quickly. You just feel with Murray, he is so

good that you just feel somehow he will find a way to win this match,

even though he looks tired at times. Two service directed to the forehand

side of his opponent, closes the game out. It was certainly nice, no

doubt. The third straight year in the world

group for Japan. They played Great Britain in 1931. Their first year

was in 1921. Another vanishing point. It is great

for us to watch because it just cuts out quick winners, apart from a few

big serves, and the technique you're watching with both players, the

movement is amazing. That is overruled from the chair.

Nishikori wants to have a quick look at it.

Good for the umpire, he has earned a couple of bonus points from Andy. He

has been in his bad bikes for most of the match. Japan has two

challenges remaining. I wonder if you could do a test on

how much energy he uses when he starts shouting like this. When you

have a bench with that many people, you can all look around to the next

person when he is looking at you when he does it.

We haven't seen so much of that since the third set. I think maybe

just a little bit fatigued, so he hasn't had that spring in his legs

to take that early on the rise. That's what he was doing so

consistently. Another late challenge, or maybe the

umpire didn't hear it. And he is fuming. I know Stephen Norley comes

out of his ear. Murray is not happy about the length of time. -- steam

normally comes out of his ear. "Why did I get this match?"

That's a big one. That was miles long. That was a tight looking

serve. He may not be terribly expressive and the outside but you

can read his tennis. That is a ballooning second serve, technical

deficiency. Some shaky points now for the

Japanese number one. Advantage, Great Britain.

And that was the legs right there. Deuce.

I think it is matter little, his trainer, who is getting the brunt of

the venting. Very broad shoulders. Exactly.

Murray has already smashed one of those rack is on the side of his

foot. His shoe took the brunt of it. You can just feel the fatigue in the

area from these competitors. 11 minutes over the three hour mark and

this is a gruelling game. The crowd are loving it. Probably the worst

game both players have played in the whole match. Sometimes you just dig

it out. Their tennis has dropped a level at the moment, both players.

Four times in that game he has taken on the backhand early. Three he has

been rewarded. There is a lot of intent. I don't think he is taking

it as early as he was. The legs, he is not pushing forward enough.

That would have been an interesting change-up, a serve and volley. He

has done it once. Once! Well, it's only three hours, you don't want to

do it too many times! And the sun is just wide. It has

come to be a challenge, is it? No challenge. Bravely held by Kei

Nishikori, who has not gone away. He lost the first two sets, having had

set point in the second. The last 40 minutes have belonged to him.

At this point we are leaving BBC One but also welcoming viewers on BBC

Two this Davis Cup tie. Murray leads to- one and it is 2-1

It's a huge weekend of sport, live across the BBC.