Garbine Muguruza’s defence of her Wimbledon title got off to a winning start as she fended off Naomi Broady.
The Spaniard was the queen of Centre Court in 2017, beating Venus Williams in the final, and she enjoyed her return there with a 6-2 7-5 success over the British number four.
She made slightly hard work of it in the second set, but eventually got the job done in an hour and 30 minutes.
? @NaomiBroady puts up a good fight against the defending champion @GarbiMuguruza as she falls 6-2, 7-5 on Centre Court!
Next up will be the doubles! #BackTheBrits ?? #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/mlaXWfqJZT
— British Tennis (@BritishTennis) July 3, 2018
Two breaks of serve were enough as Muguruza barely broke sweat in the opening set, with Broady unable to match her precision.
The Stockport player, once Britain’s number two, showed resistance in the second set as she was determined to extend her stay on the main show court.
But there was a sense of inevitability about Muguruza breaking at 6-5, and she did to love, as she booked her place in the second round.
“I am happy with my serve and controlling the emotions, to be back in a grand slam is always emotional so I am happy the way I am playing.
“I knew she had a big serve and big shots and on grass it’s always difficult.”
