Britain's Andy Murray won in straight sets against Frenchman Fabrice Santoro 6-3 6-4 7-6 (5) to reach the second round of Wimbledon.

The pair traded unorthodox strokes throughout the match, Murray's serve often too strong for his opponent, while he hit more winners.

But that belied the challenge provided by the 35-year-old veteran.

Murray, still only 21, was focused and looked the part on his return to SW19 after missing out last year with an injured wrist.

He and Santoro shared an entertaining first set as they threw in all manner of strokes: drop shots, cut backhands and lobs, providing the expectant crowd with a fascinating spectacle.

However, the Briton insisted that he took the match very seriously.

"It's first round of Wimbledon. I mean, it's fun to be out there, but I'm not wanting to just play fun points to keep everyone happy," he said.

"I wanted to obviously just win the match as quickly as possible."

Murray was the first to break, going 2-1 up after converting his second break point with a lovely lob, the chance gifted to him by a Santoro double fault.

The world number 54 broke back to level the scores at 3-3, his backhand slices giving Murray a challenge while the young Scot looked for his favoured drop shot whenever the chance presented itself.

He then pressured Santoro on his serve, winning four break points before finally taking the game with a brilliant return across the court from a difficult position out wide.

From there Santoro could do little to prevent Murray from taking the opening set, a topspin forehand closing it out 6-3 after Santoro had saved the first two of three set points.

"When he broke me back in the first set it was a little bit nervy for a couple of games," Murray added.

There was a shock for Murray in the opening game of the second set when Santoro passed him down the line when defending an aggressive stroke to the corner, the winner giving him an immediate break.

Murray was dominant on his serve but, despite seriously threatening on a couple of occasions, had to wait four Santoro service games before breaking back - a lovely backhand down the line finishing the job.

The world number 11 and 12th seed went two sets to the good with a further break at 5-4 up, unable to convert the first set point but lobbing successfully during the second as Santoro attempted to get the ball back with a through-the-legs shot.

The third set was dominated by serve as Murray continued to find more winners than the entertaining Frenchman, whose best record at the championships - the third round - came back in 2001. However he had reached the second stage every year since 2002, a warning that Murray did well to heed.

The flamboyant player had put in a special request to play on centre court for the first time in his long career - and said it was worth the wait.

"It was as good as I was thinking before going on the court," Santoro said. "I was trying to enjoy every minute on the court. I was trying to enjoy the match.

"I think I did it from the first to the last point."

Murray's own best showing, two years ago, saw him get to the fourth round, and his controlled aggression suggested a man who wants to go much further this year. Time and time again he knocked on the door of the essential break; and was thwarted by the clever positioning and pure skill of his opponent, who somehow denied him even a break point.

Murray's own position on court was excellent: more often than not he rallied from inside the baseline, forcing Santoro back and into ever more elaborate escapes. In the end the tie break was forced.

Murray was in front immediately but fell behind after Santoro's opening serves. From there he went back in front, and remained so until closing out the tie break 7-5 and sealing the match with one each of a forehand winner, drop shot - with a little assistance from the netcord - volley and lob.

Next up in the second round is Belgian Xavier Malisse; the crowd will expect further heroics after this impressive first performance from the British number one.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport