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 6-4 3-1 Bublik* (*denotes next server)
Murray starts the game with a sloppy forehand error before Bublik moves 30-0 up on the Scot's serve with an overhead winner. Hawk-eye turns a fault into an ace for Murray on the next point before a deft backhand drop shot forces an error from Bublik and brings the game back to 30-30. Murray hits the top of the net with a forehand to give his opponent a break point but Bublik misses an easy forehand. An ace followed by an unreturnable serve seals the game for Murray.
Murray* 6-1 6-4 3-2 Bublik (*denotes next server)
Bublik's service game goes by in the blink of an eye with the aid of a trio of aces.
Murray* 6-1 6-4 5-2 Bublik (*denotes next server)
Bublik toys with Murray with a drop shot-lob combo but loses the next two points to go 15-30 down. The Russian fires down an ace to partially ease the pressure but Murray takes the next two points to seal the double break and all but book his place in the second round.
Game, set, match! Murray def. Bublik 6-1 6-4 6-2
A couple of groundstroke errors by Bublik followed by an unreturnable serve bring up three match points for Murray. The Briton slices a backhand long on the first one but makes no mistake at 40-15 with some good depth on a forehand approach that forces an error from Bublik.
Fourth seed Svitolina progresses
Elina Svitolina, the fourth seed in the women's draw, is into the second round after a straight-sets victory over Australian Ashleigh Barty (7-5 7-6).
Nadal and Pouille updates
Rafael Nadal, the fourth seed, is a set up against John Millman of Australia (6-1).
Meanwhile 14th seed Lucas Pouille is level at one set all against Malek Jaziri after dropping the opening set on a tiebreak.
Kvitova a set to the good
Two-time SW19 champion and 11th seed Petra Kvitova leads Sweden's Johanna Larsson by a set to love (6-3) on Centre Court. This is only the Czech's third tournament back since she was the victim of a knife attack at her home last December.
Brown enhances his reputation
The dreadlocked entertainer knocked Rafael Nadal out of Wimbledon two years ago.
Kvitova advances in straight sets
Women's 11th seed Petra Kvitova will play in the second round on Wednesday after a 6-3 6-4 win over Johanna Larsson.
Next up on Centre Court: Reigning US Open champion Stanislas Wawrinka.
Nadal progresses in straight sets
Rafael Nadal will play Donald Young in the second round on Wednesday after a 6-1 6-3 6-2 victory over John Millman on Court One.
A seriously impressive performance by the Spaniard who is looking to right a few wrongs at Wimbledon after a few below-par performances here in recent years.
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