Andy Murray started the defence of his Wimbledon crown with a fairly comfortable straight sets win against David Goffin on centre Court on Monday and claimed he “played very well”.
The 27-year-old third seed was given a rousing reception on his return as he continued the tradition of the returning men’s champions by opening play on the main court at the All England Club.
Murray admitted to feeling some nerves as he stepped out onto the court as the first British man to defend the Wimbledon title since Fred Perry won for the third time in 1936. But he was soon in the swing of things as he broke Goffin’s serve at the first opportunity before winning the opening set in 29 minutes.
The Belgian, ranked 105 in the world, did offer a little more resistance but Murray swept through to a second-round meeting against Slovenian Blaz Rola with a 6-1 6-4 7-5 success.
“I thought it was a very high standard match,” Murray told BBC Sport.
“I was glad to finish it in three. Sometimes you can win in three sets and not play that well, but I’m pleased with the way I struck the ball.
“I was nervous this morning and I was nervous last night, but once you sit down on the chair it’s time to get on with this year.”
He added: “I played very well. I hit the ball clean from the beginning of the match. I thought the second and third sets were a very high level.”
Murray is 5.54 to win Wimbledon on the Money Line with The Field 1.15.
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