It was a star-studded family affair for Scottish hopeful Andy Murray as he walked on to Wimbledon's Centre Court to a standing ovation from cheering fans - a packed crowd that included his parents, grandparents, and a host of celebrities.
With England out of the World Cup, the nation's hopes are on the Scot to make it two in a row following his historic victory last summer against Novak Djokovic, and tickets have sold 'quicker than we've seen', according to an official.
After ending the wait for a British male singles champion at Wimbledon after 77 years, Murray will try to emulate Fred Perry once more by retaining the title.
And the path to that goal began in fine style as Murray brushed aside Belgium's David Goffin in straight sets (6-1 6-4 7-5).
Acknowledging the crowd's welcome with a wave, Murray's big entrance was watched by a audience that included his mother Judy and girlfriend Kim Sears, who was sporting traditional Wimbledon white in a lace dress.
The two women greeted each other with a kiss before taking their seats.
Murray, 27, had family in the Royal Box too as his maternal grandparents, Roy and Shirley Erskine, and his father William Murray, with his partner Samantha Watson, took their seats there.
Scotland Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and retired American basketball player Shaquille O'Neal were also in the exclusive area, along with the Duke of Kent, Princess Michael of Kent and sports presenter Steve Rider.
Also among the celebrities at the opening day of the tournament were comedian Jack Whitehall, who said he was hopeful Murray would give cause for sporting celebration following England's World Cup exit.
'As a Scotsman, I don't know if that's on his list of priorities,' he joked.
Other celebrities at the All England Club were James Bond star Naomie Harris, actor Douglas Booth and Mobo winner Laura Mvula.
It was love-all for Sophie Ellis Bextor, who brought along husband Richard Jones, Ellie Goulding and new boyfriend Dougie Poynter, Jesse Metcalfe and his date Cara Santana, and Pixie Lott and her boyfriend Oliver Cheshire.
Joely Richardson was another star taking in the action, while Kathleen Turner swapped the West End stage for a spot in the audience, and Vanessa White from The Saturdays was also spotted.
Also in attendance were presenter TV Jameela Jamil, Game Of Thrones star Natalie Dormer, and actor and model Jamie Campbell Bower.
Fans queued in their thousands to get a taste of the opening day's action and said the atmosphere in the famous queue was 'buzzing' - probably helped by the warm sunny weather.
One of Murray's biggest fans was at the front of the queue, having arrived at the venue at 7.30am on Saturday.
Stuart Bere, 39, a gardener from Lincolnshire, has booked the next two weeks off work.
He said of the queue: 'It's buzzing. It's the best atmosphere it's been for years. The time just flew by and, to be honest, you're just chilling out.'
Mr Bere drove to Wimbledon with his car packed up like he was 'going on holiday'.
Well prepared, he has been feasting on rice and fish cooked on a portable stove, and he said it was all worth it.
'We're going to see a British Wimbledon champion walk out [on Centre Court], which will be amazing,' he said.
One woman who had been in the queue since 10am on Saturday was hoping for a double celebration.
Linda Loader, a lab technician from Yateley in Hampshire, is 58 today, and hoped she would be celebrating not only her birthday but a Murray win as well.
She has followed the Scot's career 'right from the start', and said she gets emotional just thinking about his successes.
After spending the last two nights in Wimbledon, she joked she was coping well 'for a 58-year-old'.
Post By http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/484326/Wimbledon-2014-Murray-mania-launches-with-easy-win-for-British-champion
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