Jack Draper marked his first Wimbledon match as British men’s number one by evoking memories of Andy Murray with a five-set success under the Centre Court lights.

Draper, seeded 28th, started tentatively against Swedish qualifier Elias Ymer – and lost his way in the fourth set – before coming through to win 3-6 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-3 in the first round.

The 22-year-old replaced Murray in the evening slot on the iconic show court, with the former world number one having withdrawn through injury earlier on Tuesday.

Draper provided a timely pick-me-up for the home fans disappointed by Murray’s misfortune.

Making his return to Wimbledon after being injured himself last year, Draper celebrated clinching victory at 21:15 BST by whacking a ball into the jubilant crowd.

“I know you wanted to see Andy out here but you were stuck with me instead,” he joked.

“The crowd helped me massively. I love playing in front of loads of people. There were some nervy moments and I really appreciate the support, it means a lot.”

In round two, he will face Cameron Norrie – the player he deposed as Britain’s leading man last month.

Norrie, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2022, sealed a 7-5 7-5 6-3 win over Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta shortly before Draper’s victory.

It ended a run of four successive tour-level defeats for Norrie, who has dropped outside the world’s top 40 after first-round defeats at the French Open, Queen’s and Eastbourne.

He and Draper were among 11 Britons playing on the second day of the 2024 Championships.