Andy Murray vs Alexander Bublik - as it happened: World No 1 beats youngster in straight sets
Re-live coverage of Murray's first round match on Centre Court
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Your support makes all the difference.In keeping with tradition, defending champion Andy Murray begins the defence of his title at 1pm on Centre Court.
On paper, he should have little trouble with lucky loser Alexander Bublik, ranked 134, but Murray has been struggling with a hip problem.
Bublik, meanwhile, is renowned for trick shots and has the confidence to make it an occasion.
Follow game by game coverage of Murray's opening match.
When is Murray playing?
The World No 1 and defending Wimbledon champion begins his 2017 campaign on Centre Court at half one, today.
Who is he playing?
Murray will play Alexander Bublik, a 20-year-old Kazakh currently ranked 135th in the world.
Our man Paul Newman sat down with him before the tournament for a revealing interview, which took in everything from his love of Eminem to how he finds Roger Federer boring.
What have they been saying?
Andy Murray: “The last few days have been very good,” he said. “Practice each day has got a little bit better. It's been slightly stop-start preparations, but each day I've felt better.
“A little bit like at the French Open, where maybe I didn't come in as well-prepared, I still found a way with each match to feel a bit better and built confidence each day, so I'm hoping that's the case here.
He's obviously a big personality and not a quiet guy. From what I've heard, he's pretty entertaining on the court in terms of the way he plays, how he is. He’s quite unorthodox.
“He plays a lot of unexpected shots, a lot of drop shots, mixes his game up a lot, takes chances, tries shots that guys may play in exhibitions.”
Alexander Bublik: “My game is unpredictable. I don’t even know what I’m going to do. I decide when the ball is coming, I decide right before I hit. I don’t have a plan. I serve wide then I play cross-court. I serve wide then a drop-shot or a lob, whatever.”
What are the odds?
Andy Murray to win: 1/33
Alexander Bublik to win: 14/1
And who will the winner play next?
Either Joao Sousa or Dustin Brown.
Murray 6-1 5-3 Bublik* (*denotes next server)
Murray profits from a backhand error by Bublik before putting away an easy overhead and sending down an unreturnable serve. The Scot needs just one of his three game points as he moves into a 5-3 lead with a neat serve-forehand combo.
Murray* 6-1 6-4 1-0 Bublik (*denotes next server)
A ninth double fault by Bublik brings up break point for Murray in the opening game of the third set. He saves it with a driven forehand volley before double fault No 10 gives Murray another break opportunity. Double fault No 11 secures the break for the defending champion.
Rain delay on Centre Court
The match between Murray and Bublik has been temporarily suspended due to rain at SW19. In other news, water is wet.
Nishikori progresses
Ninth seed Kei Nishikori is into the second round after a straight-sets victory over Italy's Marco Cecchinato.
Murray vs Bublik back underway
The rain has ceased and Andy Murray is serving with a two-set and a break lead.
Rain returns to Centre Court
Murray and Bublik managed to complete five points before the rain returned. The covers are back on and the two players have gone back inside. If only this place had a roof.
The greatest match ever?
Something to pass the time while we wait for play to get back underway...
Kyrgios: I didn't have enough time to recover
This is what 20th seed Nick Kyrgios had to say about his Wimbledon campaign after a hip injury sustained at Queen's two weeks ago forced him to withdraw midway through his first-round match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert:
"I did everything I could to help it. I did not have enough time.
"I spoke to the doctor before the tournament and he leaned towards not playing. But it is my favourite tournament and it was not easy to pull out.
"I thought I could win. There are some opponents I probably still could have won against, but not Pierre. I'm not taking anything away from him."
Murray vs Bublik is back underway... again
The World No 1 will be hoping to wrap this set up within the next half an hour or so.
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