With Poland missing their top two singles players – Hubert Hurkacz and Kamil Majchrzak – Fery’s opponent Pieczkowski is their highest-ranked player.
That meant Britain were heavy favourites coming into the tie, which was compared to a Premier League team facing a non-league side in the FA Cup.
But captain Leon Smith warned that it was not necessarily that straightforward. And so it proved as Norrie made hard work of his match against 19-year-old Berkieta, ranked 511 places below him.
Norrie was immediately on the back foot, saving two break points in his opening service game.
A tricky set followed with neither player conjuring further break point opportunities and the Pole forcing a tie-break.
Norrie saved two set points before missing three of his own in an error-strewn tie-break but a double fault from Berkieta then Norrie’s pinpoint serve from sealed the 30-year-old the opener.
Norrie then showed his experience in set two as Berkieta’s belief and level trailed off and an early break of serve was enough for Norrie to secure victory and Britain’s first point of the tie.
A torn bicep and illness had prevented former top-10 player Norrie playing Davis Cup since the 2023 quarter-final with Serbia.
He has already played 22 tournaments this year but said playing for his country is “one of my favourite weeks” of the year.
Britain lost 3-2 in Japan in the first round of this year’s Davis Cup, and so must win this tie to maintain their status among the elite. Defeat would mean a February play-off, which could result in relegation to World Group 2.