Andy Murray puts hip injury behind him in Wimbledon first round win

Andy Murray appeared to still be troubled by a nagging hip injury as he began his defence of the Wimbledon title with a straight sets victory in the first round.

The world number one limped around the baseline at times on Centre Court, but did not appear to be in too much discomfort after outclassing Russian lucky loser Alexander Bublik 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round.

The 30-year-old was forced to cancel warm-up matches as he dealt with the hip injury in the build-up to the Wimbledon championships.

Speaking after the match, he said: "My hip felt good. It’s a little bit sore, but I was moving really good on the court today.

"If you’re in a little bit of pain, but you can still run as you normally do, that doesn’t affect how you play."

Asked about his limp between points, he replied: "Whether it’s something that’s just happened… like, subconsciously, my hip’s been sore, I have no idea.

"I’m not in a lot of pain when I’m walking, that’s for sure."

Play was disrupted twice by rain, but Murray wrapped up the match comfortably in one hour and 44 minutes.

He was watched by his pregnant wife Kim Sears and the Duchess of Cambridge, who met with ball boys and girls, Wimbledon staff and players on Monday morning.

The champion confirmed that he and his wife were expecting another child on Sunday, telling a news conference: "We’re both obviously very happy and looking forward to it."

The couple, who married in 2015, already have a daughter – one-year-old Sophia.

Murray will now face German Dustin Brown in the second round.

The two-time Wimbledon winner is not the only British player with hopes riding on him, but day one did see three of his fellow countrymen knocked out of the competition.

Cameron Norrie, Naomi Broady and Laura Robson were defeated at the All England Club.

Norrie lost to French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3 6-2 6-2 while Broady was beaten 6-4 6-2 by Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.

Robson was also defeated by Brazilian player Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-4 6-2.

But British number four Aljaz Bedene and women’s singles players Heather Watson and Johanna Konta all took first-round wins for Britain.

Stan Warwinka, current world number three, crashed out of the competition, appearing to have suffered a knee injury.

The Swiss was defeated 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-1 by Russian youngster Daniil Medvedev.

(c) Sky News 2017: Andy Murray puts hip injury behind him in Wimbledon first round win