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

Murray in action on Centre Court against Bublik (Getty )

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 135^th 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?

Murray is expected to progress (Getty)

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.”

Bublik has a slender frame and doesn't enjoy slugging it out on court (Getty ) (Getty)

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.

[3 July 2017 09:35 · Samuel Lovett]

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of day one from the Wimbledon Championships. We'll be bringing you all the latest action and news from SW19 as it happens so make sure to stay tuned!

[3 July 2017 10:01 · Samuel Lovett]

The draw for The 2017 Championships was made on Friday morning, with the Tournament set to begin today.

World No 1 and defending champion Andy Murray was handed a relatively kind draw, and will face 20-year-old qualifier Alexander Bublik in his opening match.

Britain's Johanna Konta will meanwhile face Su-Wei Hsieh, who beat her in the opening round of this year's French Open.

But which first-week matches should you keep an eye out for when The Championships get underway?

Here, we take a look at five potential match-ups you will not want to miss:​

​

[3 July 2017 11:16 · Ed Malyon]

What is Roger Federer's favourite Wimbledon memory?

 

[3 July 2017 11:45 · Ed Malyon]

Wimbledon 2017 is officially underway...

[3 July 2017 11:48 · Ed Malyon]

Laura Robson's Wimbledon tournament hasn't got off to the ideal start. She's been broken in the opening game of her match against Brazil's Beatriz Haddad Maia on Court 18.

[3 July 2017 11:58 · Ed Malyon]

Another Brit in early action is Cameron Norrie, who is taking on Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a former Grand Slam finalist, on Court Two.

The 21-year-old Norrie is 2-1 up on serve against the big Frenchman.

[3 July 2017 12:05 · Ed Malyon]

The first set of The Championships has been claimed by Portugal's Joao Sousa. It's taken him just 23 minutes to claim the opener by six games to three against the entertaining German Dustin Brown.

[3 July 2017 12:11 · Ed Malyon]

Upset alert on Court Three where 20th seed Nick Kyrgios has dropped the opening set against Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

The Australian had to pull out of Queen's two weeks ago with a hip injury and it appears as though he is still being hampered by that problem.

[3 July 2017 12:29 · Ed Malyon]

Laura Robson has a lot of work to do if she is going to avoid a first-round exit here. She's a set and a break down on Court 18.

[3 July 2017 12:48 · Ed Malyon]

Norrie two sets down to Tsonga

Britain's Cameron Norrie trails 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga by two sets to love (6-3 6-2).