Wimbledon 2015: Andy Murray takes straight sets victory over Mikhail Kukushkin to ease into round two

Andy Murray has sealed his place in round two at Wimbledon after defeating Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets.

As temperatures soared to a sweltering 41C on centre court, the British no. 1 kept his cool as he held off the challenge of the Kazakh to seal a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 victory.

He will take on either Robin Haase or Alejandro Falla in his second round match.

A measured exchange in the opening set where neither man was able to find a break point was finally seized upon by Murray who capitalised on a double fault from his opponent while he was serving to stay in the set.

Murray broke again in his opening service game of the second and while he looked comfortable in the SW19 heat, a string of errors allowed Kukushkin back into the contest.

The 27-year-old battled back and forced another error with Murray serving for the set, forcing Murray back towards his baseline to leave him on the brink of sealing the set himself at 6-5.

Kukushkin wilted under that pressure, however, with Murray forcing the decisive point in the tie-break with his third set point.

Kukushkin provided more resistance in the final set, denying Murray a straight forward conclusion to the match when he took a 40-15 lead with the 2013 champion trying to serve out for the match. He could only delay the inevitable, however, with the Scot holding on to secure victory.

Murray told BBC One after his win: "It was a tough match. I made it hard for myself at the end of the second set. He then started playing some very aggressive tennis. He was hitting it so low it was difficult to do anything.

"I am glad I got through, it was a hot day and he was a tough opponent. Towards the end of the second set I missed 10 or 11 first serves in a row and I gave him an opportunity."