Even after so many exciting nights at the Center Court under the lights, Andy Murray still finds new ways to seduce and delight. He was back in the fourth set of a lively match against Australian James Duckworth, throwing an armpit service for the first time in his 14 individual appearances at Wimbledon over the years.
The crowd purred. Murray smiled. But while it only gave him a lone point, he has stressed a much broader one: that he has more tricks in his closet than at any time since his career almost ended in 2017.
The impression was bolstered by post-match statistics showing that Murray hit 35 winners and only 14 unforced errors on the way to beating Duckworth 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
He knows the time is short, at 35, to make another deep run in the tournament he loves most. But if he can beat the 20th seed, John Isner, in the second round on Wednesday, he wouldn’t beat him. “I’m wearing it a little bit now,” Murray said. “I don’t know how many opportunities I’ll have here, so I want to make the most of them every time.”
Towards the end, in particular, there were echoes of vintage Murray: mostly in the way Duckworth moved down the track, mocking and trying, before applying the kill. And then there was the armpit service, which his opponent could only catch in the air, allowing Murray an easy kill.
“Well, he changed his return position,” Murray explained. “That’s why I did it. It was very close to return. He was struggling a bit on the return from the first serve, so he probably took a step two meters back. As soon as I saw him take it one step further, I launched the armpit service.
“Personally I have no problem with players using it. I’ve never done that. The armpit service is a way of saying, ‘If you’re going to take a step back, then I’ll possibly throw it.’
Murray then admitted that he was no longer the same player he was the last time he lifted the Wimbledon pitcher in 2016. Still, he looks much fitter since he re-bonded with his old coach. Ivan Lendl earlier this year, a fact reinforced by the victories over Stefanos Tsitsipas and Nick Kyrgios in Stuttgart earlier this month.
Encouragingly, he showed no sign of the stomach strain he suffered which called into question his appearance at Wimbledon. “It felt good, to be honest,” he said. “The last few days I’ve been serving were fine. I went to have a scan, an ultrasound on Saturday after my practice just to see how he was progressing. Everything was clear for the first time on the scans, which is really positive “.
Andy Murray returns service on his way to victory over James Duckworth. Photography: Tom Jenkins / The Guardian
Murray was also happy with the way he recovered after going on a set against Duckworth, who played much better than his 74-year world ranking suggested. “I did well to regroup after the first set.” , he said. “He likes to play on the grass. When I managed to find my returns, I felt more comfortable. “
He also knew Duckworth had gotten hot in that first set, hitting 14 winners for 10 unforced errors. The question was, could it last?
Little by little we got our answer: no. Murray’s service improved markedly in the second set, giving him a platform to attack. And with a 3-2 serve, he produced a defensive master class after getting a break point before his opponent finally swerved to the tram lines. Other mistakes soon followed, as Murray confidently grabbed the second set 6-3.
Suddenly, the Center Court brought echoes of some of Murray’s glory days. Pimm’s soaked crowd living every point. The urgent chants of “Va Andy.” Only the old stone face, Lendl, sat motionless in the players area.
But when Murray quickly secured the third set 6-2 it was enough to impress even Lendl, who applauded along with the rest of Murray’s area.
Then came a 10-minute delay as the roof crossed the track and the lights came on, but Murray was not to be denied. The fourth set went into service until it broke in the ninth game, before sealing the match in the next.
“I did well in passing,” he said. “There are always nerves and pressure and butterflies and stress before the first round. It was great to get a victory under my belt. “
However, he knows that tougher tasks await him, starting with Isner, who scored 54 aces in his match. “I’m in a better place than last year when I played here,” Murray added. “In terms of similar pain, definitely in a better place than in 2017 when I played here.
“I don’t know if to make a deep run or not. I have a pretty tricky game in the next round against Isner. I’ll have to be there for that.”