Wimbledon's new power couple showed they mean business as Andy Murray and Serena Williams got their eagerly-awaited mixed-doubles pairing off to a flying start.
Murray ended a 724-day absence from Centre Court as he and the 23-time grand-slam winner beat Andreas Mies and Alexa Guarachi 6-4 6-1 on their debut outing.
These two are used to winning on Centre – they have won nine singles titles between them – and they proved that no matter how new the partnership, old habits die hard.
So, do you come here often?#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/feIrz7Bqwl — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 6, 2019
Never has a mixed-doubles alliance received so much attention, but it did not disappoint as Williams' baseline power and Murray's guile at the net means they will be a real force in this discipline.
It will have brought a personal moment of satisfaction for Murray as well – back on his favourite stadium almost two years after a quarter-final defeat to Sam Querrey.
As he hobbled off that day, the Scot could never have known what was in store for him, having had two rounds of hip surgery, and that will have made his return all the sweeter.
Sealed with a classic @andy_murray return! 📽️ @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/LXAYo9h8Rv — LTA (@the_LTA) July 6, 2019
Victory will also have provided some comfort for his defeat in the men's doubles with Pierre-Hugues Herbert earlier in the day.
Given the standing of the two and the interest in their pairing, it could easily have had the feeling of an exhibition match, and Williams perhaps did not help with that as she played the first two points of the match with her accreditation lanyard still around her neck.
She quickly composed herself and helped break Mies' serve in the very first game – and there was no looking back from there.
They had nine other break point opportunities to seal the first set in quickfire time, but in the end it was left to Murray to serve it out.
Mies, French Open champion in the men's doubles last month, again had his serve taken in the opening game of the second set and when Guarachi's serve was finally broken, Murray and Williams were home and hosed at 3-0.
They were forced to show their renowned fighting spirit as they fought back from 0-40 on Williams' serve and that allowed them to seal the easiest of victories on their second match point.
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