Two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray pulled out a seesaw victory against 24th-seeded Nikoloz Basilashvili. Murray won the match by 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in four sets. Murray was playing at the Centre Court for the first time since 2017.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Andy Murray beat Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in four sets
• Andy Murray was playing his first singles match in Wimbledon in four years
• Andy Murray was playing his sixth match of the season

Two-time former champion Andy Murray survived a close scare to beat Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-3 on Monday in his first singles match at Wimbledon for four years.

Murray, who won the title at the All England Club in 2013 — giving Britain its first male champion there in 77 years — and again in 2016, but since has needed two hip operations and dealt with other assorted injuries.

“I keep getting asked: Is this going to be my last Wimbledon? Last match? I don’t know why I keep getting asked about it. Like, no. I’m going to keep playing. I want to play,” said Murray during an interview on the court.

“I’m enjoying it and I can still play at the highest level,” Murray said when he resumed speaking. “He’s ranked 28th in the world, and I’ve hardly played any matches. And I beat him.”

Basilashvili, the 24th seed, made a strong comeback in the third set and won seven successive games to send the match into a fourth set.

With darkness descending over the All England Club, the players left the court while the sliding roof was closed and lights switched on to enable the match to be completed.

The interruption had a rejuvenating effect on Murray who returned to break serve to love in the first game of the fourth.

Basilashvili broke back immediately with a piercing backhand down the line but then dropped his serve to love again.

Murray had chances for a 4-1 lead in the fourth but Basilashvili dug in to stay in touch and the Georgian then had a break point to get back to 4-4.

“It’s been extremely frustrating not being able to get on the court and I’ve had such little momentum over these last few years. And just kept trying, kept working hard in the gym, kept doing all the right things to get me back in this position,” Murray said. “I feel very lucky I get to do it again.”

Up 5-0 in the third set, Murray was broken three times in a row and lost seven consecutive games. He twice was one point from winning while ahead 5-3 in that set, before briefly losing his way.

“That’s never happened to me before in my career,” Murray said. “But there are things that can happen when you haven’t played any matches.”

He said later he was dealing with fatigue and some doubts that crept into his mind.

There was a break after the third set so the arena’s retractable roof could be closed to protect from rain.

Murray said he took a shower and went to the bathroom.

He also regrouped and regained control.

“A lot of players would have capitulated there,” Murray said. “I did the opposite of that.”

On playing his first singles at the Centre Court for four years, the former World Number one said: “It’s amazing to be back out here, playing again on the Centre Court. Such a brilliant atmosphere. I have missed playing infront of the fans. It was an amazing reception, when I came out.”