Imperious Andy Murray levels final for Great Britain with comfortable win over Ruben Bemelmans

Murray snagged the first two sets before recovering from a break down to emerge as a 7-5 winner in the third set, including saving a set point on his own serve at 5-4 down.

The world number two Murray broke early in the match before seeing world number 108 Bemelmans break back to restore parity at 2-2 in the opening set, but Murray's superior movement and skills held sway for the rest of the set as a third break of serve helped the Scotsman see it through 6-3.

The British number one was bidding to level the match at 1-1 after Belgium's David Goffin recovered from trailing 2-0 to complete a 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-0 win over Britain's Kyle Edmund in the opening match earlier in the afternoon.

And he kept his composure despite the best efforts of an unpredictable opponent and vociferous crowd in attempting to unsettle him.

Murray's dominance continued in the second set as he twice broke on his way to a 6-2 success with Bemelmans' hopes of an unlikely recovery receding by the point with the Brit showing all the style that carried him to two ranking events titles on clay earlier this year.

A typical thumping backhand winner by the Dunblane man flew past his opponent to secure the double break in the second set before a few more unforced errors from the Belgian handed Murray the initiative in cementing the break for a 2-0 lead after a second set that lasted 46 minutes.

The Beglum captain Johan Van Herck was warned about the crowd's conduct as Murray faced a set point between his first and second serves, but Murray won a crucial point and celebrated like he had sealed a first final victory for his country since 1936 before breaking to love in the 11th game and holding serve to finally quell the home fans.

He is seven from seven in Davis Cup singles matches this season before he combines with his brother Jamie in Saturday's pivotal doubles match. A win there would leave Murray needing a point from his reverse singles match with Goffin on Sunday to complete the win.

It is too early to say that Britain are on their way to victory, but the bookmakers see it only one way. GB are 2/11 on with Belgium ranks outsiders at 11/2. With Murray in this mood, it is difficult to disagree.