Andy Murray on fire as he wins Davis Cup opener against­ Taro Daniel

The Scot broke right at the start of the match and never looked in danger of falling to a shock defeat against the world number 87.

Murray lost just one game in the opening set, and while Daniel improved a little in the second set he still had little threat to offer at the match in Birmingham.

Daniel again upped his work rate in the final set with the pair sharing some long rallies, but Murray invariably came out on top as he wrapped up the 6-1 6-3 6-1 win in just under an hour and a half - finishing off in style with his 16th ace of the match.

"I played a good match, I thought I served well," said Murray, pleased in particular with his first serve.

In the second rubber of the match, Dan Evans - the world number 157 - will take on Daniel's compatriot Kei Nishikori.

"It's obviously a tough match for Dan, but they've played once before and Dan beat him at the US Open so that'll give him confidence," said Murray of the second match.

Perhaps the key for Murray is that his victory came so quickly, meaning that he will be fresh to potentially take part in the doubles fixture alongside brother Jamie Murray on Saturday, should Leon Smith decide to swap out Dominic Inglot.

"The last few weeks have been the best of my life. Yeah, it's been really, really special," said Murray, of his first match since the birth of his daughter.

"It's been tough being away from her for the first time over the last few days but it had to happen at some point."