Murray gives Britain semi-final lead

Andy Murray got Britain off to a winning start in their Davis Cup semi-final with a crushing win over Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The British number one played superbly to win 6-3 6-0 6-3 in the best-of-five tie at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena.

World number 300 Dan Evans, the British number eight, will play Bernard Tomic in the second singles match.

Britain, who last won the Davis Cup in 1936, are trying to reach their first final since 1978.

Belgium take on Argentina in the second semi-final in Brussels.

“It was a huge match and I’m glad I managed to put on a good performance,” said Murray. “The crowd was excellent from first to last.

“I was hitting the ball cleanly and I didn’t give him any opportunities on my serve.

“Representing your country is a proud moment, I love it, and I always perform my best when I’m here for my country.”

Classy Murray overwhelms Kokkinakis

Murray is nine years older than Kokkinakis at 28, and ranked 69 places higher at three in the world, but this was still an impressive performance against one of the sport’s up-and-coming stars.

The pair are regular practice partners, and Murray made sure he laid down a marker in their first competitive meeting.

Kokkinankis, urged on by Lleyton Hewitt on the Australian bench, began well enough to see off five break points with some bold play.

However, a terrific lunging return helped Murray make the breakthrough at 4-2 and the Scot simply powered away.

A beautiful lob set the tone on the first point of the second as he went on to break to love, and he would lose just five points in a masterclass of a set.

With Murray’s backhand proving irresistible, 19-year-old Kokkinakis was simply overwhelmed, and another break at 2-1 in the third effectively clinched it.

BBC Sport