Andy Murray through to 2nd round

Andy Murray won through his first round meeting at Wimbledon with American Robert Kendrick last night, but the big-hitting World No 76 put the Queen's champion through his paces.

Murray eventually triumphed 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3, 6-4 after two hours and 37 minutes, and by the end of the encounter his superior fitness and technique became apparent, but Kendrick attacked the No 3 seed throughout and exposed Murray's weakness on his serve.

The young Scot will now face Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in the second round. Elsewhere British hopes were extinguished as Alex Bogdanovic, the British men's No 2 seed, Katie O'Brien and Georgie Stoop were all eliminated at the first hurdle. Britain women's No 1 Anne Keothavong went out to Patricia Mayr despite having a set point against her in their 7-5, 6-2 mismatch.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Steve Bierley, the Guardian: "Murray took the first set and, with the sun dipping, the Centre Court eased back in their seats. Murray, now far less likely to expend unnecessary emotional energy, was calmness personified at this stage, though when Kendrick took the second- set tie-break, running round a second serve to crash a forehand beyond Murray's reach, there was an outbreak of nervous fidgeting and wan smiles in the crowd."

Martin Samuel, Daily Mail: "Andy Murray saved the best for last. Well, almost last. The penultimate game of the final set was the one that brought the Wimbledon crowd to its feet and showed the long-suffering devotees of British tennis what he can do for them; and they for him. In that moment, Murray’s tennis was forceful, bravura, inventive, cavalier, everything the Centre Court crowd would want from a British contender and more. They responded by making the sort of noise the last man standing on behalf of native tennis would wish to hear. A united show of support, many brought to their feet to announce their approval at this grand finale."

Ian Chadband, Daily Telegraph: "Kendrick, belying his world ranking of 76, proved surprisingly formidable, as he went for broke, throwing himself around in his back-to-front cap like an ageing Boris Becker, volleying handsomely and hitting cracking forehands. Indeed, Murray did well to compose himself in the crucial latter exchanges. Still, though, he will have to raise his game substantially again to meet the challenge of the dangerous Latvian Ernests Gulbis in the second round." ·