Jack Draper says he is “winning by being here” as he made an emphatic return after a lengthy injury lay-off to help Great Britain take control of their Davis Cup qualifying tie against Norway.
British number one Draper has spent five months on the sidelines with a bruised bone in his service arm.
His comeback was delayed twice by the injury and he missed January’s Australian Open to complete his recovery.
However, he served well, moved sharply and showed some brutal ball-striking to bear Viktor Durasovic 6-2 6-2 in his first competitive match for 164 days.
Sterner tests will await world number 13 Draper, who is ranked 300 places above Durasovic, but he will be relieved to have rattled through a convincing win after a long spell out.
“Tennis is a bubble, and sometimes you can get distracted that it’s all that matters in life,” the 24-year-old told BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller.
“When you have time out, I used it wisely I think to try and make sure that when I try and come back to tennis, that I’m ready to go all the way again.”
“I’m confident that I’m on a really good path. I’m winning by being here.”
Cameron Norrie then gave Britain a 2-0 lead with a characteristically gritty 6-4 6-4 win over teenager Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.
Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash can wrap up the best-of-five tie for Britain at the earliest opportunity if they triumph in Friday’s doubles.
If not, Draper and Norrie will have to take to the court again for the reverse singles.
The winner of the tie in Oslo will face either Australia or Ecuador for a place in November’s eight-team Finals.