History-maker Murray into second round

Andy Murray made history as the world number two cruised into the Wimbledon second round with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Germany’s Benjamin Becker on Monday.

Murray’s dominant display on Centre Court made him the most successful British man in Grand Slam history as he surpassed Fred Perry’s total of 106 matches won at the four majors.

The US Open champion will play Britain’s James Ward or Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan in the next round.

“I thought he played some solid tennis and didn’t give much away, but I just managed to get breakthroughs at the end of the first and second sets. Then I played better in the third and pulled away,” Murray said.

“It’s a good start. There are always nerves before the first match at a Grand Slam, especially here for me. I’m glad to get it out of the way and keep improving.”

While Murray will be delighted to have recorded the 107th Grand Slam victory of his career, he has another more significant Perry achievement in his sights as he bids to become the first British male winner of the Wimbledon singles’ title since Perry in 1936.

Murray has enjoyed a remarkable run since last year’s tearful Wimbledon final defeat against Roger Federer, thrashing the Swiss great to win the gold medal at the London Olympics and then beating Novak Djokovic in the US Open final to finally claim his first Grand Slam title.

But Wimbledon remains the holy grail for Murray and, with that in mind, there was even better news for the Scot as French Open champion Rafael Nadal, who had been a potential semi-final opponent, crashed out in stunning fashion against Belgian Steve Darcis over on Court One.

“It’s obviously surprising but that’s sport,” he said. “Rafa’s not played on the grass this year and not much last year either.

“If you are a little bit off and your opponent plays well you can be in trouble. That happens.”

There was never any chance of Murray suffering the same fate as Nadal.

Murray had reached the final of the last three Grand Slams before the recent French Open, which he was forced to miss with a back injury, and now boasts a 12-match winning run on grass.

Becker may have the same surname as compatriot and former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker, but the similarities end there.

The 32-year-old, ranked 95, fought hard but was out-classed from the moment he gifted Murray the first break with a tame backhand in the fourth game.

Becker was handed a lifeline when the Scot produced a double-fault on break point in the seventh game.

Earlier in his career that might have triggered a Murray meltdown but he is a far more mature player now and hit back to take the set with a break at 5-4.

Murray was never truly rattled by the German and his clever groundstrokes eventually forced enough errors from Becker to break for a 5-3 lead that effectively sealed the second set.

That was the signal for Murray to step on the gas and he surged to the finish line, taking the third set in the kind of imperious fashion that sent a clear message to his rivals for title.

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