BIRMINGHAM, England — Andy Murray and Kei Nishikori both won their 12th straight match in the Davis Cup to leave titleholder Britain and Japan tied at 1-1 in the first round on Friday.
Playing his first match in nearly five weeks and since becoming a father, Murray displayed some rustiness in easily beating Taro Daniel 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to successfully launch Britain's defense of the cup on an indoor court in Birmingham.
Nishikori had it much tougher in the second singles match before finally putting away 157th-ranked Dan Evans 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (3).
The doubles is on Saturday and Murray has indicated he could play with his brother Jamie.