Good Friday for Britain

Andy Murray and Tim Henman steered Britain to within sight of victory in their Davis Cup tie against Holland at the NEC in Birmingham on Friday.

After Murray beat Raemon Sluiter in straight sets to give the home side the lead, Henman did the same to Robin Haase to put Britain in command.

Victory in Saturday's doubles rubber would seal a 3-0 victory in the tie and book a place in a World Group qualifier in September.

It was Henman's first appearance in the competition since 2004 but nothing had changed, the British number two putting the 7,500-strong crowd through a rollercoaster of emotions before clinching a 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 7-6 (7/4) victory.

Murray had earlier overcome his injury worries to beat Sluiter 6-3 7-5 6-2.

The British number one's participation in the Euro-Africa Zone tie was in jeopardy earlier this week, but on Thursday the teenager said he was "93.42%" fit.

And, despite feeling a twinge from his groin injury early in the first set, the 19-year-old was simply too good for world number 140 Sluiter.

"I felt it after the first few games," Murray said. "I had been practising but you don't really stretch yourself until you are in the match. It wasn't restricting my movement but I still felt it.

"He played really well after the start of the match. He was making me do a lot of running and I was making a few mistakes at the end of the second set but I did well to hang in and not get broken."

Britain captain John Lloyd added: "I can't ask for any more. Andy played great, he was the best on the pressure points and that's what it all came down to."