Australia's Tomic survives Evans rally to level Davis Cup semi-final with hosts Britain

Australia's Bernard Tomic beat world number 300 Dan Evans to level Australia's clash with Britain at 1-1 ©Getty Images

World number 23 Bernard Tomic survived a spirited fightback from the unfancied Dan Evans to ensure Australia’s Davis Cup semi-final clash with Britain finished level at 1-1 after the first day of singles rubbers at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Tomic took the opening set in convincing style before the second went to a tie-break, which he managed to edge to move into a 2-0 lead.

But Evans, a surprise inclusion in the British team, harnessed the spirit of the raucous crowd inside the venue to reduce the deficit to one set as he clinched the third, again on a tie-breaker, despite having trailed 5-2.

The Australian, however, regrouped and began to find his range once again, which proved too hot for the Briton, ranked at 300 in the world, to handle as Tomic emerged with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 victory despite showing signs of frailty towards the end of what was a pulsating encounter.

His win restored parity in the eagerly-anticipated last four contest after world number three Andy Murray dismantled Thanasi Kokkinakis in straight sets, dropping just six games on his way to a dominant 6-3, 6-0, 6-3 success.

Murray wasted little time in giving Britain, who are aiming to reach their first Davis Cup final since 1978, the advantage in the rubber with a dominant performance in which he was rarely tested by a hapless Kokkinakis.

The other semi-final between Belgium and Argentina is also level at one point apiece as Leonardo Mayer beat Steve Darcis in four sets in the second singles rubber in Brussels.

David Goffin had given Belgium a 1-0 lead over Argentina after he proved too strong for Federico Delbonis ©Getty Images

The Argentine was made to work hard for his victory as he took the first two sets on a tie-break before sealing a 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 win, which came after David Goffin claimed a 7-5, 7-6, 6-3 triumph in his match with Federico Delbonis.

In the pick of the World Group play-offs to take place today, US Open runner up and 17-times Grand Slam winner Roger Federer was in confident form as he dispatched Jesse Huta Galung 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to help guide Switzerland to a 2-0 first-day lead over The Netherlands.

India’s contest with the Czech Republic, Russia’s match with Italy and the United States’ encounter with Uzbekistan are all locked at one point apiece after the first day.

All of the matches, including both semi-finals, continue tomorrow.