Murray Ends Davydenko Campaign

Andy Murray got his Wimbledon campaign under way with an imperious 6-1 6-1 6-4 demolition of Nikolay Davydenko.

The world No 4 had a miserable build-up to the tournament, having failed to win a single match on grass - but he was in magnificent form in front of a packed Centre Court.

He hit a series of stunning winners from the most unpromising positions to book a place in the second round, where he will face either Israel's Dudi Sela or the giant Croat Ivo Karlovic.

Davydenko, the former world No 3, saved a break point in the opening game but Murray went all the way at 1-1 when the veteran Russian drilled a backhand wide.

A searing forehand winner down the line earned a second break, and Murray - clearly enjoying himself - made it six games in a row to seal the first set.

Another brilliant forehand winner gave him a 2-0 lead in the second set before the 31-year-old Russian - who suggested ahead of the match that Murray did not have what it takes to win a Grand Slam - stopped the rot after nine straight losing games.

But he was being thoroughly outclassed, another break giving Murray the second set, the Scot having not made a single unforced error in the first two sets.

Davydenko made it slightly harder for the Scot in the third, through he was broken again in the first game.

Davydenko saved two match points at 3-5 to at least make the British number one serve for it, which he managed with aplomb, clinching victory after an hour and 34 minutes when the Russian fired a return long.

The 25-year-old three-time Grand Slam finalist said: "The first two sets were very good. I got off to a great start. I've been waiting around since Queen's, I've been itching to get going.

"I wanted to get out of the blocks quickly today. I was hitting the ball very cleanly, I used my slice very well."

Murray is playing in his seventh Wimbledon, and he added: "I probably settle into matches a bit quicker than I used to.

"There's been a lot of talk from a lot of people so I just wanted to start the tournament. The first round's never easy but it was a good start."