Olympics 2024 LIVE: Andy Murray in doubles action before Adam Peaty, as Team GB win bronze in canoe slalom

Into a deciding tie-break, then, the first pair to ten taking the match. The first two points are split.

Andy Murray and Dan Evans are still alive! They’ve found their energy, they’ve found their intensity and an emphatic Murray volley squares affairs on Court Suzanne Lenglen.

Both of Evans’ service points are secured by the Brits, and after the change of ends, Evans slaps an overhead winner to poke his nose in front.

First to seven, of course, and first blood to Taro Daniel, firing another of those big smashes at Dan Evans’ ankle. The Brit’s racquet is used only for protection.

2-0 with Daniel strong on his second serve. A first sign of real emotion from him – he’s been really, really good.

But that’s outstanding from Evans! He nullifies the mini-break with a block return that is perfectly placed in the tram lines.

A sliding Kei Nishikori flashes a forehand past the noses of the two Brits, who simply wave it on by to give themselves a foothold as they look to seal this set. But Nishikori responds smartly, inch perfect with a lob over Murray that clips the corner.

A point more apiece and it’s 30-all. A Taro Daniel smash sets up game point, though, and we’re off to a tie break.

A couple of double faults from Dan Evans, over-correcting having found the net earlier in the game and instead pushing his second long. He gets a little lucky that a simple enough lob from Kei Nishikori sails on the Japanese player with both Brits up in the service boxes.

Game, Evans/Murray. A thumping serve, a tidy volley, and they push in front again.

Taro Daniel will serve to stay in the set. He’s been rock solid behind that languid motion today, and it’s soon 40-0, easing the pressure. A hold to love.

Now, can Andy Murray’s shaky serve hold firm? Love-30 is an unencouraging start, but Dan Evans gets across at the net to avoid total disaster. Murray gets the better of a bit of net repartee with Kei Nishikori to get back to 30-all.

A double fault brings a screamed Scottish expletive, though. Break point, and surely a must have for Murray. Centre serve…just wide. On the money with the second…and Evans puts the volley away. Deuce.

A backhand lob from Nishikori is a foot wide. And a wayward Taro Daniel forehand gets Murray’s fist pumping.

A perfect return from Andy Murray, trapping Kei Nishikori in a predicament in the left corner from which the server cannot extricate himself. A double fault – three break points. And a lunging Dan Evans pouches the first of them. The British flags fly with Evans properly into the contest, punching the air as he bellows in delight.

A brilliant inside-out forehand from Dan Evans, somehow opening up wide enough to guide it past Kei Nishikori, who seemingly had anticipated the shot well at the net. An ace up the centre, the first of the match, keeps the British heart beating.