Wimbledon: Andy Murray beats Benjamin Becker in straight sets

Andy Murray avoided any first-round dramas as he eased past Benjamin Becker on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

While Rafael Nadal was suffering his second shock exit at the All England Club in two years, Murray was doing just what he needed in a 6-4 6-3 6-2 victory that took an hour and 52 minutes.

Murray became a little sloppy after a fine start but once he had the first set in the bag he did not look back.

It was routine for Murray, and the greatest reaction from the crowd came everytime the score in Rafael Nadal’s match flashed up on the scoreboard.

There were no first-game wobbles from Murray in the third set as he began with a break of the Becker serve, and it was just really a question of how long it would take him to wrap it up.

Becker battled on gamely, saving two break points in the seventh game but not a third, a shanked forehand leaving Murray serving for the match.

The Scot’s forehand had been particularly impressive and another winner, his 38th of the match, sent him through to a second-round clash against either fellow Briton James Ward or Lu Yen-hsun.