Andy Murray rolled back the years as he produced an impressive performance – and some trademark drama – in his first Wimbledon win since 2017.
The two-time champion limped out of a quarter-final against Sam Querrey four years ago with a hip injury, which required two operations and a metal plate inserting into the joint.
He missed the 2018 and 2019 tournaments, though played in the doubles in the latter, and his career has never recovered, with several injuries stunting his comeback.
But he reminded everyone why he won in 2013 and 2016 with a 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-3 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili.
He said: "There have been times that I was much more motivated than this. But that's no reason for me not to play well.
"The conditions are the same for each single player. The bubble makes it really tiring week by week.
"It's certainly very difficult when you know mentally you're going to go from one bubble, being in that bubble two-and-a-half weeks, maybe even more than that, like close to a month, to be honest.
"Just like two weeks later you still have to undergo the same procedure and the same thing again.
"It's just not easy. It's a challenge on its own already. But I don't want to put emphasis to that too much. We had a match today, (I) had my opportunities.
"My opponent played much better, significantly better, than me. There wasn't the drive that I was hoping for. There wasn't that same fighting spirit that I usually put out on the court."
Fifth seed Andrey Rublev equalled his best run at SW19 with a four-set victory over Federico Delbonis.
The Russian lost the first set but came back to win 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 and make it through to the second round.
Kevin Anderson has tumbled down the rankings since making it to the 2018 final but Wimbledon always brings the best out of him and he got off to a winning start against Chilean Marcelo Tomas Barrios Vera.
He also went a set down but recovered to progress with a 6-7 (4) 6-4 6-4 7-6 (4) victory.
Roberta Bautista Agut beat Australian John Millman 6-3 3-6 6-3 7-6 (4), but rising star and 19th seed Jannick Sinner went out, losing 5-7 6-3 7-5 6-3 to Marton Fucsovics.
