Andy Murray was at his brilliant best in front of a patriotic Glasgow crowd on Friday as Great Britain took a 1-0 lead in their Davis Cup semi-final against Australia.
The world number three dispatched Thanasi Kokkinakis in an hour and 47 minutes, sealing victory with this glorious backhand winner.
Murray dropped just six of his 54 service points against Kokkinakis. Three of those six points came as the result double faults, as Murray reminded his adoring audience that he is human after all.
Home support certainly helped Murray, who thrived in an atmosphere which was fuelled by Scottish mega anthems such as Runrig’s Loch Lomond and 500 Miles by The Proclaimers belting around the Emirates Arena between points.
Englishman Dan Evans will be hoping for a similar boost when he faces Bernard Tomic in the second rubber this afternoon.
The tie continues on Saturday with a doubles match, before the reverse singles on Sunday.
Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot are Great Britain’s specialist doubles team.
However, after his easy workout against Kokkinakis, Andy could well replace Inglot to partner his older brother against Lleyton Hewitt and Samuel Groth.
Great Britain are currently the favourites to win the Davis Cup, despite their last triumph coming back in 1936.
The winner of this tie will face Argentina or Belgium in the final.
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