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Wins for Serena and Murray - but a lot of Wimbledon got washed out today

Only 37 of Tuesday’s scheduled 65 matches were completed.

Wimbledon 2016 - Day Two - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Rain wiped out almost half the programme at SW19 on Tuesday. Steve Paston Steve Paston

DEFENDING CHAMPION SERENA Williams racked up her 80th Wimbledon victory while Andy Murray also raced into the second round before torrential rain wiped out almost half of Tuesday’s programme at the All England Club.

Williams, six-time champion and bidding for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title, battled to a 6-2 6-4 win over Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic. She will face fellow American Christina McHale for a place in the last 32.

“I would be lying if I said I feel fresh, but I don’t feel fatigue. I feel real hungry, super motivated, extremely ready to do the best,” Serena said, but not everyone gave her the royal seal of approval.

“It was one of the worst serving efforts I’ve seen from Serena. This is what is giving other players hope,” John McEnroe said on the BBC.

Wimbledon 2016 - Day Two - The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club Serena: service game came under fire from McEnroe. Adam Davy Adam Davy

Meanwhile Murray, the 2013 champion, made a flying start to his bid for a second Wimbledon title as the world number two crushed Stockport’s Liam Broady 6-2 6-3 6-4.

The 29-year-old brushed aside the world number 235 and will next play Taiwan’s Lu Yen-Hsun.

“The first match is always tricky and it was pretty breezy out there at the beginning,” said second seed Murray.

“We’ve practiced together in the past. It’s not easy playing someone you know, so I did ok.”

Britain Wimbledon Tennis Murray: quick win against Liam Broady. Ben Curtis Ben Curtis

Minutes after Murray had completed victory, heavy rain brought a halt to action on all courts except Centre Court where the roof was closed. Play was eventually suspended for the day with only 37 of the scheduled 65 matches completed.

Swiss fourth seed Stan Wawrinka defeated American teenager Taylor Fritz 7-6 (4) 6-1 6-7 (2) 6-4 to set-up a second round blockbuster against Juan Martin del Potro.

Del Potro, playing in his first Grand Slam since the 2014 Australian Open after undergoing three wrist surgeries, made the second round by beating France’s Stephane Robert 6-1 7-5 6-0.

Nick Kyrgios, the Australian 15th seed, beat Czech wildcard Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-3 6-7 (9-11) 6-1. He next faces German wildcard Dustin Brown who got past Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 4-6 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4.

© AFP 2016

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