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
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
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.
French Open champion Ostapenko through in three
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko delivered an erratic performance in reaching the second round of Wimbledon.
The 20-year-old 13th seed took an hour and 21 minutes to beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-0 1-6 6-3.
Play suspended due to bad light
All but one of today's scheduled matches across the men's and women's draws have been completed, with only Facundo Bagnis' encounter with Radu Albot to be finished tomorrow.
With that, I bid you goodnight! Join us tomorrow for all of day two's round one action.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments