Jacob Fearnley leads by example on Davis Cup debut with Kei Nishikori win for Great Britain

Without some of their talisman players including Jack Draper and even Cameron Norrie, it is Jacob Fearnley who has the unenviable task of leading from the front this week at the Davis Cup.

Coming off a strong performance at the Australian Open, Fearnley shone as he took down former Grand Slam finalist Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3. This proved vital after Billy Harris had faltered before him losing 7-5, 6-1.

"I am feeling great, I was extremely nervous before the match, as to be expected, it is my first Davis Cup match and playing such a great player I knew I had to play good," he said.

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"I was a bit nervous but I ended up playing a great match so I am happy.

"I know it is going to be another big challenge tomorrow."

Now it all comes down to doubles tomorrow with this opening win potentially being in vein as he can do little more to affect the outcome of the tie from here due to the nature of the Davis Cup.

But if it is his one and only display, it is one that will live long in the memory. This against a Nishikori too who himself has been in some form as of late reaching the final of the Hong Kong Open and seeming to be back in some of his prior form amid wretched injury luck.

But Fearnley is certainly a player to be feared. Novak Djokovic invited him to train with him at the Australian Open and he was one of the biggest ranking risers of the past year. Amid quite a lot of British attention being on Jack Draper, he has shown that there are at least two players to the party after the retirement of Andy Murray last year saw a gap needing to be plugged in the psyche of British tennis.

But also it could've seen Great Britain exit out before the main qualifying rounds. They lost last year in the Finals Group Stage to Canada given a spot due to Manchester hosting certain sections of the finals. But that isn't the same scenario this year and they have to fight for their spot with the second qualifying round being in September after this.

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