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By Erik Gudris | Monday, June 23, 2014

 
Andy Murray Wimbledon

Greeted with a standing ovation on Centre Court, Andy Murray got his Wimbledon title defense off to a winning start on Monday.

Photo Credit: AP

Andy Murray and his opening round match at this year's Wimbledon began and ended in celebration on famed Centre Court.

Wimbledon: Murray and UK Unsure What To Expect at Wimbledon

Murray, entering as the first defending men's champion from the UK in nearly a century, was greeted with a standing ovation from the expectant crowd on hand. His first round opponent, David Goffin of Belgium, probably felt like the loneliest man in England as he tried to pull off what would have been a very unpopular upset.

If Murray was feeling any understandable nerves, he didn't show it right from the start. Breaking Goffin early, Murray took control with several fine shots including a well-timed forehand lob.

The No. 3 seed Murray rolled to an easy 6-1 opening set as Goffin struggled to get his game going. But Goffin, who is coming back from recent wrist surgery, began to make a match of it starting in the second set.

Despite that, Murray would soon strike an ace to close out the set 6-4.

Goffin threatened early in the third set after he fired in a backhand pass to create 15-40 on Murray's serve. Murray fought back and held for 2-all as his new coach Amelie Mauresmo managed a brief sigh of relief while looking on from the player's box.

Though he looked ready to force a tiebreak, Goffin wavered late in the set. Up 40-0 on his serve, Goffin would soon toss in a double fault sending things to deuce. Murray would break after Goffin sent a groundstroke just long.

Murray got in some trouble on his own serve in the next game, but fired down several big deliveries to reach match point. With his eighth ace, Murray clinched the 6-1, 6-4, 7-5 win.

Once again, Murray received warm applause from the crowd as they celebrated Murray's triumphant return. Murray responded with several waves before exiting.

The key stat for Murray was his very tidy unforced error count of just 10 compared to 28 miscues from the Belgian.

"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," Murray later told BBC Sport. "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."

Next up for Murray will be Blaz Rola in the second round.

 

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