Murray manages just fine without his family

The Scot was pleased Jamie and Australian John Peers had won their doubles match, but jokingly rued his lack of family support.

Murray raced to a 6-2 6-3 6-2 win over 27th-seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut to secure his place in the fourth round, coming through the first week of the tournament without dropping a set.

He faces big-serving South 
African Kevin Anderson in his next assignment, and may need all the backing he can find if his opponent is at his very best.

He will hope Wimbledon keep his match and any doubles clash former Wimbledon mixed doubles champion Jamie may have on Monday at different times of the day.

After his early-evening win yesterday, Murray was told of Jamie’s victory and said: “It’s a shame we’re on at the same time.

“None of my family came to watch me so I’m obviously the 
No 2 son.

“My brother’s the priority – he’s No 1 son – he’s always had the preference since I’ve been a kid, but it’s good that we both won.”

Judy did arrive in the late stages to see her younger son complete his handsome victory, but Murray appeared not to have spotted her in the crowd.

Murray said of his latest win: “It’s good to get it done in straight sets.

“He’s the best opponent I’ve played. He’s obviously seeded and coming in with confidence from winning a tournament last week.

“It was a step up. There were a few things I could have done better, but it’s been a good first week. Now I can rest up and be fresh for Monday.”

Looking ahead to the tussle with Anderson, who at the age of 28 has reached a career-high 18th place in the world rankings, Murray said: “He’s a tough opponent.

“He’s made improvements this year. He’s a big guy (6ft 8ins) with a big game. I’ll have to return well if I want to win.”

Murray completed a perfect first week at Wimbledon by brushing aside Bautista Agut.

The Spaniard had been expected to provide Murray’s first test, but the defending champion was even more impressive than he had been in the first two rounds this week.

Bautista Agut may not be a household name, but he is having the best season of his career and last week won a title on grass in Holland.

As Murray had pointed out before the match, the Spaniard hits the ball a lot flatter than most of his countrymen, making his game well suited to the faster surfaces.

David Goffin, Blaz Rola and now Bautista Agut have done their level best to stay with Murray but, aside from in the third set against Goffin, it has been one-way traffic.

Everything in the Murray game looks to be in perfect working order.

He is striking the ball with power and precision, particularly on the backhand side, where the extra rotation he has gained since his back surgery has been in evidence.

Murray has said it is too early to see the effect of new coach Amelie Mauresmo on his game, but the Frenchwoman will no doubt have been delighted with the variety he is using.

There have been frequent forays to the net and some delightful tough volleys.

It is clear Murray is enjoying both the partnership and the whole experience of defending his title.

Greater tests lie ahead, of course, starting on Monday with towering South African Anderson.

Should Murray get past the 20th seed, Grigor Dimitrov and then Novak Djokovic are likely to block his path to another final.

Significant obstacles, yes, but no more than Murray is for everyone else.

Bulgarian Dimitrov proved his new-found athleticism by seeing off 21st seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in a grinding five-set victory.

The 11th seed and Queen’s Club champion prevailed 6-7 (3/7) 6-4 2-6 6-4 6-1 against the Ukrainian on Court No 1.

Veteran Australian Lleyton Hewitt forced Jerzy Janowicz into five sets, but was unable to edge out the 15th seed.

The 2002 Wimbledon champion squeezed the 2013 semi-finalist and world No 25 all the way, but Janowicz eventually triumphed 7-5 6-4 6-7 (7/9) 4-6 6-3 in second-round action, to tee up a meeting with Tommy Robredo.

Hewitt’s 42nd five-set match in grand slam tournaments set a new open-era record – but the two-time major champion admitted he would rather keep things brief.

“I’d much rather win in three or four sets than go the distance all the time,” he said.

“I seem to put everyone through the wringer quite a bit,” he said.

France’s Jeremy Chardy needed four sets to see off Sergiy Stakhovsky in the third round, while 19th seed Feliciano Lopez eased past Ante Pavic in straight sets in second-round action.

Andrey Kuznetsov also claimed a third-round victory, while Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo edged out Spain’s Marcel Granollers in a five-set second-round battle.