Andy Murray rolled back the years to pull off a gutsy comeback victory in yet another gruelling late-night thriller on Monday.
Murray, walking wounded at Wimbledon after an abdominal injury, dropped the first set to world number 74 James Duckworth. But he roared back to show there's life in the old dog yet against a player almost as banged up as him.
Aussie Duckworth is not fully fit after hip surgery - his ninth operation in ten injury-plagued years. And he made a fight of it on his Centre Court debut against the two-time champion, who came into this tournament fighting his body as much as his opponent.
Murray's injury, suffered in his ATP Stuttgart final loss to Matteo Berrettini earlier this month, had forced him out of a Wimbledon warm-up at Queen's.
And he wasn't even sure he would be competing here after not being able to practice his full repertoire of shots in the build-up. But eventually he wore his opponent down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 under the lights at the All-England club.
And he will now face American John Isner, the 20th seed and former Wimbledon semi finalist, in the second round.
Murray said: "It's amazing to be back out here again, an amazing atmosphere. I'm getting on a bit now. I don't know how many more opportunities I will get out here so I've got to make the most of it.
"I did well to rebound after the first set. Did well to get through it. Hopefully I play better from here on."
It still feels strange that Murray is no longer the main draw around these parts, the many empty seats around Centre Court telling their own story.
But this was yet another slog of a match where Murray-mania managed to lift the 35-year-old, who isn't even seeded this year.
You could tell he was in trouble early, the Scot looking forlorn and frustrated at times with his serve as he was broken twice before losing the first set.
But geed up by an increasingly boisterous crowd, he found enough inner strength to break back in the sixth game of the second set and level the match.
He broke Duckworth again early in the third and it wasn't long before we started seeing the sort fist-pumping roars he is known for.
Now ahead, he even had spectators abuzz with excitement with a cheeky trick-shot underarm serve on his way to taking the third set.
By then Duckworth was arguing with the umpire about bad light, and eventually they were forced to take a ten-minute break to close the roof and put the lights on.
The stoppage seemed to give the Aussie time to regroup as he started the fourth strongly. But Murray kept up the pressure and seemed to be growing in confidence.
Duckworth then double faulted to hand Murray a critical break of serve to put the Scot one game away from winning.
And when Duckworth failed challenging a match-winning ace, it was all over and they stood as one to cheer another big Murray win.
