Murray fights hard to down Kendrick

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.

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