It was not the best of first sets from Murray, even though he did break Kendrick’s serve in the first game of the match when the American understandably appeared nervous.

At that stage Murray threatened to breeze past a player who had never beaten anyone in the top 20, but Kendrick took advantage of a Murray double fault to claw back the break in the eighth game.

Suddenly, the American’s flat forehand and big serve started to give Murray problems.

Suddenly the crowd too appeared to realise that this was not going to be a stroll in the park most had predicted, even if a wild forehand from Kendrick gave Murray the crucial break in the 11th game to clinch the set. But when the AmericanHe began to throw in slice and hit with venom and when he dispatched one volley with a dive which would have done justice to Boris Becker in his prime at last there was evidence of how he took Rafa Nadal to five sets in 2006.

When he took the tie-break a murmur of apprehension rippled around Centre Court which lasted until the match took a decisive turn in the next set when Kendrick threw in two uncharacteristic double faults, one of them courtesy of a foot fault.

It opened the gates for Murray. Even in the fourth set, however, there was some competitive slugging with Kendrick showing impressive energy levels for a 29-year-old and Murray at last finding the range on some ripping returns.

Murray admitted he would have to improve to reach the final.

"I will have to play great tennis and win five more matches," he said. "I know what I need to do to get there, I’m not going to worry about getting to the final yet."

The conclusions, however, were obvious.

Murray will have to be much more energised in his next match against Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis.

Much more ruthless on his groundstrokes. Far more dominant on his serve.

As Kendrick left the court he dived playfully Jurgen Klinsmann-style one last time. The crowd roared their approval.

They were happy Murray had survived a day when he too could have fallen flat on his face.