Andy Murray joins Johanna Konta and Heather Watson in Wimbledon third round

Defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray comprehensively dealt with the unique challenge posed by Dustin Brown on Centre Court on Wednesday, moving into Round 3 with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.

Brown, who made the second round with a 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-4 win over Portugal’s Joao Sousa, said it would be an “honour” to play Murray, seven years after their only other meeting at the US Open.

British tennis star Johanna Konta is continuing to make her country proud as she battles her way to the championship match at Wimbledon.

“She hits the ball very fast, had a great serve when I was playing against her”.

She has already recorded some important landmarks for her adopted country, reaching the final of last year’s Australian Open and successfully cracking the top 10 to become the UK’s most successful female player in decades.

“I was practising a lot on grass and preparing and getting ready for Queen’s and my hip was getting gradually worse”.

Turned out, she didn’t need to stress about a shutout for too long: Brengle broke the strong-serving Kvitova to take the very first game. “I think both myself and Donna played very well”.

And Murray played some incredible shots of his own, especially on his way to the break of serve in the fifth game of the second set which effectively killed the match. Murray should win, but you never quite know what Brown is capable of.

After disposing of part-time rapper Alexander Bublik, Murray swatted aside dreadlocked German Brown.

“I trusted my game a bit more than I did when I played her last”, said Konta as she came off court. “I was really looking forward to trying it out on my guinea pigs”.

There can be no underestimating the power of the big stage to either inspire or drain the resolve of a player more familiar with the echo of a near-empty arena, though.

The tactic, which involves quickly approaching the net after hitting a serve, was seen as essential for good grass-court players throughout the eighties and nineties, with the likes of Rod Laver, John McEnroe and Stefan Edberg all particularly accomplished in the art. “And then also just to understand also what she was feeling, because as players, we have all been in that position, as well”. View image | gettyimages.com The number three seed was totally ruthless a highly-efficient 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 demolition of his Dutch rival – who he…

Also on the men’s side, Aljaz Bedene was a 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3 victor against Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.

“Today, it was good because I won”, Tsonga said afterward.

“I feel good and hopefully it stays that way”, he said.

Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun (盧彥勳) and Chang Kai-chen (張凱貞) played their respective first-round match at 11:30 a.m. London time on July 3. I have definitely taken home a few both in my belly and in my bags.