Andy Murray Comes Through Tough Test

4 months ago 24th Jun 11:26

Andy Murray came through a tough first round match yesterday finally seeing off American Robby Kendrick 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-4.

The first set was a tight affair as thousands packed into Centre Court to cheer on the British number one as Murray mania began to rise.

But Kendrick was not overawed by the occasion or who was stood on the other side of the net despite his 3-0 losing record against Murray.

After an early break of serve Murray looked to be cruising with a 4-2 lead in the first set but the American battled back to level it at 4-4.

And Murray was walking in dangerous territory as a double fault left Kendrick just two points from taking the first set. But Murray regained his composure and took a one set to love lead.

While many expected Murray to move into cruise control as he threatened to break Kendrick early in the second. But the American averted the crisis and continued to push the world number three.

When Murray served up a double fault in the seventh game to hand Kendrick the break to lead 4-3 Centre Court fell quiet. And Kendrick capitalised on Murray’s loss of concentration as he levelled the match at one set a piece.

In the early part of the third set Murray couldn’t shake the American as Kendrick’s serve held firm. Murray’s breakthrough came in the seventh game from a double fault by Kendrick and a shout from Murray gave the crowd something to cheer about.

It was all Murray from there as he blasted through the rest of the third set to take it six three. Into the fourth and once again Kendrick stood firm and, for a brief moment it looked as if the match was going all the way.

But the errors began to creep into the American’s game but some impressive shots from Murray and great acrobatics from Kendrick the crowd has something to cheer about, really warming to the underdog.

Murray needed two match points to finally seal victory in two hours thirty seven minutes. He will now play Ernests Gulbis in the second round.

However there was less success for fellow Brit Alex Bogdanovic as he crashed out in straight sets.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw