Andy Murray does not always make life easy for himself at Wimbledon.
But after dropping the first set on his return to Centre Court, he eventually recorded a relatively straightforward 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 opening-round victory over James Duckworth to come off court a good hour and a half before Wimbledon’s 11pm curfew.
While the two players’ careers have taken different paths, there are parallels between them. After the Australian Open, Duckworth underwent hip surgery - the ninth operation of his professional career - as Murray did three-and-a-half years ago.
Prior to Wimbledon, Duckworth had suggested he was still a few weeks away from full fitness while, in contrast, the question marks around Murray had, for once, been less about his hip than the abdominal strain he sustained in the final of the Stuttgart Open.
There were fears that was still an issue when he managed a first-serve percentage of just 46% in the opening set but it was more a lack of competitive action than anything more sinister.
Duckworth was clinical when the opportunities arose, taking both of the break points he was offered in that opening set, which he deservedly won.
Come the second set, Murray’s first-service accuracy steadily climbed and, with it, his ascendancy in the match. He got the vital break to go 4-2 up in the second after a lengthy rally which ended with Duckworth sending the ball wide.
Where Duckworth had put his shot selection to good use early on – notably with his drop shots – both fatigue and Murray’s improved form meant he struggled to stay in the contest from that moment onwards.
Cheered on by the Centre Court crowd, there was some occasionally vintage shots from Murray, passing Duckworth with regularity and showing the sort of movement on court that has been absent for much of his time since hip surgery. He even threw an underarm serve into the third set for good measure.
With the light fading on a bizarre day of weather which had seen light drizzle, glorious sunshine, blue skies and a heavy downpour, Duckworth pushed for the roof to be closed, as much a ploy to slow the Murray momentum as anything.
But Murray remained in the ascendancy into the Wimbledon night at the match’s resumption.
Quite what this result means for the former world No1 and a long run at Wimbledon is unclear. His form in recent weeks has been it’s best since 2017 and his run to the quarter-finals here.
And the mood in camp has been excellent, Murray laughing and joking with practice partner Kyle Edmund and coach Ivan Lendl at Aorangi Park earlier this afternoon.
“It’s amazing to be back out here again with a full crowd after the last few years. It’s an amazing atmosphere,” said the Scotsman.
"Obviously I’m getting on a bit now so I don’t know how many more opportunities I’ll get to play on this court so I want to make the most of every time I get to come out here.
"Hopefully I’ll get another match on here in a couple of days."
