Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/680484
18 ITFWORLD SPRING 2016 UP AND RUNNING T he Davis Cup by BNP Paribas reaches parts that other sports events cannot reach. If any more compelling evidence was needed, then the sight of crowds from Melbourne to Guadeloupe to Birmingham being swept up on the emotion of the improbable and wonderful opening World Group contests of the year told its own tale. What drama. The world's two best players prevailing in five-hour, five-set epics; one of the sport's grand champions coming out of retirement for a last hurrah; the longest tiebreak in World Group history; the fastest serve ever; three final-rubber nail-biters; and France's musketeers putting on a show in a home tie 4,000 miles from home. Where to start? With the champions and their champion, of course. If you thought Andy Murray could not possibly top his Hercules impression of last year when his brilliance hoisted Great Britain to their first victory since 1936, then maybe a rethink is in order. Opening their defence against Japan in front of a Birmingham crowd which demonstrated just how Britain has fallen in love with this competition, Murray, in his first match The 2016 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas competition got off to the kind of start that shows just why the historic event is so appealing, as Ian Chadband reports. DAVIS CUP BY BNP PARIBAS Mikhail Kukushkin led Djokovic by two sets to one before losing Novak Djokovic had a scare in Serbia's first round win against Kazakhstan