Alex Michelsen gave the United States a 2-0 lead over Taiwan on his Davis Cup debut in the first round qualifiers on Friday, while Jacob Fearnley also impressed in his first appearance in the competition to pull Britain level with Japan.

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.

Yoshihito Nishioka won, but Kei Nishikori lost Friday as Japan split the first two singles matches with Britain in their best-o

Jacob Fearnley draws Great Britain level in their Davis Cup qualifier against Japan with victory against Kei Nishikori.