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Triumphant Murray rates first week an 'eight out of ten'

Andy Murray and Ivan Ljubicic produced four high-quality sets of tennis at Wimbledon on Friday © Getty Images

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ESPN.co.uk will be providing live scores and analysis from Wimbledon throughout the tournament.

Murray grinds his way past Ljubicic

Andy Murray reflected on his first week's performance at Wimbledon, and concluded that he deserved an eight out of ten for his endeavours.

Murray booked a place in the fourth round with a four-set triumph over Ivan Ljubicic on Friday night, setting up a tie with Richard Gasquet. That clash will take place on Monday, as Wimbledon begins to enter the business end of the tournament.

The British No. 1 overcame a shaky start to see off Daniel Gimeno-Traver in round one, before an awkward performance in the second round saw Tobias Kamke beaten.

Victory over Ljubicic was undoubtedly Murray's best performance of the tournament to date, and he spoke confidently about his game whilst revealing the pressure never subsides in front of his grand slam-thirsty home support.

"It's very intense. I felt like I played very good tennis from the back of the court, I just need to serve better," said Murray, who beat Ljubicic 6-4 4-6 6-1 7-6(4). "I returned well and moved pretty good, so that's a step in the right direction. It was much better than my last match."

Asked how he would rate the first week, Murray replied: "Probably about an eight [out of ten]. The first match was good at the end, but I didn't start that well. The second match I wasn't pleased with, but Friday's match I thought was a very high standard. Both of us played very well."

Murray almost allowed Ljubicic to force a fifth set when, as he served for the match, the Brit allowed his rival to break back. It seemed like a lapse in concentration from Murray, but he credited Ljubicic for finding a couple of excellent returns.

"Both of us were struggling behind our second serve. Every time we got our first serve in we pretty much won the point but on our second serve we were both just swinging on the return. When I served for the match he caught a few returns and made it very difficult."

On a lighter note, Murray produced one of the shots of the tournament midway through the contest, improvising brilliantly to clip a winner through his legs to the delight of the Centre Court crowd.

"It's just one of those things, it was in the right position, I tried it at Queen's and I've tried it a couple of times in practice and luckily I haven't missed yet," said Murray. "You look like a plonker when you do!

"It's one of those shots you don't try too often, and luckily I've pulled it off in the last couple of weeks."

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