Murray gives Britain 1-0 lead in Davis Cup against Australia

Britain’s Andy Murray serves to Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis…

Murray’s sponsors Standard Life, as well as the ATP and LTP, are matching his donations pound for pound, meaning that each ace will be worth £200.

Birmingham-born Evans, who now plays the Futures circuit and has slumped to No.300 in the world, was originally called into the squad as back-up, but has forced his way past out-of-form James Ward and youngster Kyle Edmund.

Dan Evans was on Thursday given a surprise singles berth for Great Britain’s Davis Cup semi-final against Australia in Glasgow this weekend.

Despite a couple admirable holds of service from Kokkinakis, it wasn’t enough to tame Murray he eased his way to the first win in the tie-break.

The second rubber was a contrast in styles, yet the games of Evans and Tomic gelled perfectly, each regularly beefing up their first serves above 120mph, allowing them to use their wit and power off the ground.

The 300th-ranked Evans, who won a low-tier challenger event last weekend in Nottingham, England, was a late addition to the British team after Edmund hurt his ankle in practice on Tuesday.

It is clearly a psychological ploy from the British after Evans upset Tomic in the second round of the 2013 US Open in New York. “When you’ve played someone before, that’s always in your head”.

However, that was a minor occasion compared to this one: Britain’s first semifinal since 1981, which will be played in front of an excitable, Glaswegian crowd.

There has never been any doubting his talent, but his attitude has sometimes been found wanting. Just this summer he was warned by the umpire for not showing sufficient effort during a Wimbledon qualifying match at Roehampton. And while they shouldn’t need it, they will also have the benefit of the home crowd in Geneva, Switzerland.

Great Britain have not reached the final since 1978, shortly after Scotland returned chastened from the World Cup finals in Argentina.

Equally, the backing received by the American tennis players at the US Open has not exactly been overwhelming; it took Serena Williams to be going for the calendar Grand Slam for her to receive unfettered support. They host matches indoors on a hard court, a surface Murray enjoys and one on which the absent Kyrgios will not be able to unleash his massive serve. On the sixth, Murray banged a backhand that handcuffed his opponent. Still, it won’t be possible for Murray to smother his friend with kindness; he knows he must beware the “explosive” arm of the world No.72.

He has, he reported, had five days of complete rest since returning home after his disappointing fourth round exit to Kevin Anderson at the US Open.

As expected, Murray all but snorted with disdain when the idea he might wilt was put to him later.

“I had a chance, I was comfortable and cruising, he started playing more free and he beat me”.

“He asked me to come to be on standby and I said yes”.

Jamie has been named in the doubles alongside Dom Inglot – another doubles specialist – although nominations can change up to an hour before play, so Andy Murray could yet feature.

The Aussies can boast the likes of Leyton Hewitt, Bernard Tomic and Sam Groth in the ranks, all of which should be no match for Murray if he is firing on all cylinders.