Birmingham gears up for Davis Cup

Great Britain captain Leon Smith (centre) with Dan Evans (left) and Andy Murray during a training session in Birmingham. Credit: PA

Andy Murray is in town as Birmingham's Barclaycard Arena to host the start of Great Britain's defence of the Davis Cup as they take on Japan later.

Birmingham's Dan Evans has replaced the injured Kyle Edmund who injured his back during practice.

His absence means Evans, 25, features in the GB team alongside Andy Murray, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot.

Today, Evans will play Kei Nishikori, and he managed to beat the world number six during a previous meeting at the US Open in 2013.

British number one Murray will kick off the tie against world number 87 Taro Daniel.

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

Order of play:

Friday

Andy Murray v Taro Daniel

Dan Evans v Kei Nishikori

Saturday doubles

Dominic Inglot & Jamie Murray v Yoshihito Nishioka & Yasutaka Uchiyama

Sunday

Andy Murray v Kei Nishikori

Dan Evans v Taro Daniel