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[Sir Panda]

Andy Murray marched into round two of Wimbledon this evening, but he was severely tested by an all-action performance from energetic serve and volleyer, Robert Kendrick.

After the explosion of hype preceding Murray's casual saunter onto Centre Court, it was a relatively tame performance from the British number one, but one that was sufficient to see him move through, 7-5 6-7 6-3 6-4.

The Scot doesn't really deliver first round dramas on the lawns of SW19,  his opening matches against Bastl, Massu and Santoro have all been comfortable in previous years, but Kendrick produced some glowing old school tennis, which troubled Murray due to it's lack of rhythm and predictability, and at one set all, Murray looked suddenly quite vulnerable in front of his home crowd.

Murray was evidently fired up from the onset ; he broke in the very first game, and served indomitably until a slack game at 4-3 cost him his lead, and prolonged proceedings in the first set. Kendrick's booming first serve was proving difficult for the world number three, an esteemed returner, to read. However, Murray pressured the American at the tail end of the set, and it yielded the service break which Murray craved.

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Kendrick did not deflate, however. If anything, his tennis continued to swell in nature, consistently pulling off an array of dramatic dive volleys and devastating forehands that skidded through the court with aplomb. He was full of swagger and confidence. Murray had the vociferous backing of the partisan crowd, but there was no doubt that it was his opponent who was providing the value for money entertainment. The set careered into a tie-break at breakneck pace, which Kendrick took in stunning fashion, ripping a forehand winner off a slow second service.

Fortunately for Murray, as he has stressed all week, round one is all about the result and he continued to fight hard, as the power of balance tilted towards the home favourite. Kendrick continued to dazzle, but it was the third seed who started to shift through the higher gears and ultimately, seize control of the match.

Murray celebrated with a fist-pump, it was an important win against an opponent who rose to the occasion beautifully. Waiting for the Dunblane native in round two, is Ernests Gulbis, who will no doubt play similar swashbuckling, aggressive tennis that Kendrick brought to the table this evening.

Murray pleased with 'tough' win (1 video)

Murray pleased with 'tough' win

[Sir Panda]

He'll need to play better, but more important to save his better matches for deeper into the tournament.

[janscribe]

A hard match could have been the right thing - Gulbis will be another terrific hurdle - he too plays well, very aggressivley on occasions - there's no easy path for so he'll just have to do what he does best and fight.

[charlienomad]

Bottled watching this one and cut the hedge instead - much more relaxing, with occasional score updates from the kids in case it got too close... Andy could have made that easier on himself (and the crowd) but thinking about it he doesn't get to play old school serve-volley type-players very often these days.

Roll on Gully Gully Gulbis

[janscribe]

Watching the highlights now, he doesn't look nearly as assured as he did at Queen's...

 It's a different ball game isn't it Joe - the big one - and he knows the competition will be 10 times greater. Queens offered no real challenges,no Fed, Nadal, Novak - he knew his chances were great - they're not so great here and the battles will not be a piece of cake - like Queens.

Bottled watching this one and cut the hedge instead - much more relaxing, with occasional score updates from the kids in case it got too close... Andy could have made that easier on himself (and the crowd) but thinking about it he doesn't get to play old school serve-volley type-players very often these days.

Roll on Gully Gully Gulbis

The crowd loved it Charlie - a real match with plenty of exciting shots and rallies - Gulbis is a feisty character and another big battle if you ask me.

[Joe]

I didn't watch the whole thing, but I thought he looked really tense.  Also, I do not think the crowd are behind him in the way they were for Henman.  Even Macenroe commented that the crowd didn't get into it till the middle of the second set. 

There definitely isn't the all-round support there was for Henman. The crowd used to cheer every single little point, every single error by the opponent. There were people actually sounding disappointed when Kendrick missed shots in the last game.

[Joe]

He served REALLY well but his shotmaking was nervy. He worked his way into it though and he was looking much more comfortably by the end of the 3rd set. I think he's well and truly into the tournament now though. No problems, surely, for R2.

Just shows what the pressure put on by the media can do I suppose. As you say, now he's played a match he'll hopefully knuckle down and play better. If he can get past Gulbis then it's a nice little path into the QFs at least, where he SHOULD be playing much better by then.

I'm bloody nervous now though, was hoping for a smooth ride in the first round, not a bit of a wobble. Roll on Thursday, when he can press on - the wait between matches isn't good for my stress levels!

[Allan]

Pity about the 2nd set but solid enough in the 3rd and 4th sets.