KENDRICK FALLS TO #3 MURRAY AT WIMBLEDON

The Fresno native is still alive in doubles play.

Fresno’s Robert Kendrick, known for his serve and volley game and fearlessness, gave hometown favorite Andy Murray all he could handle in the opening round of gentlemen’s singles play at Wimbledon.

Kendrick fell to the #3 seed in four sets, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-4.

British tennis fans who thought Andy Murray’s path to the Wimbledon final would be straightforward were given a dose of reality in his opening match.

Kendrick is ranked 73 places lower than Murray on the ATP World Tour.

“It was a tough match,” Murray, 22, said. “I was expecting him to come out, go for some big shots. He pulled some off at the end of the second set and he served very well for three sets.”

Kendrick and doubles partner Sam Querrey will open up their doubles play against Austria’s Julian Knowle and Jurgen Melzer Thursday.

Bloomberg News contributed to this story.

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