The Wimbledon journey of Andy Murray continues as he edged past qualifier Oscar Otte, defeating the German 6-3, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in their second-round match in front of a raucous crowd on Center Court.

After taking the opening set, the Brit watched as the world number 151 picked up his level of play to claim the next two sets before Murray gathered himself to win a close fourth set and run away with the fifth.

Murray rallies from deficit to outlast Otte

The first four games of the match went with the server until Murray had two break points which Otte saved with some good serving, but presented with a third opportunity, the Brit capitalized as the German sent a backhand just long.

After a serve-volley combination closed out the game and gave Murray a 5-3 lead. Otte served to stay in the set, but watched as the two-time champion nailed a backhand on the line and followed with a winning forehand to take the first set.

Breaks were traded midway through the second set and it was Otte who took control, a bruising forehand winner earning him a break to love and a 4-3 advantage. Serving for the set, the German qualifier easily held to love to level the match at a set apiece.

Otte played some impressive tennis in the second and third sets/Photo: Ben Stansall/Getty Images
Otte played some impressive tennis in the second and third sets/Photo: Ben Stansall/Getty Images

The first six games of the third set offered no break points to either man, but the seventh saw the world number 151 have triple break point. Murray saved the first two, but on the third he netted a forehand, handing Otte the lead.

Two drama-free holds gave the German a two sets to one lead and put Murray in serious danger of an larger-than-expected exit. Early in the fourth set, the former world number one slipped and hurt his groin, but he appeared to be OK and required no medical treatment.

A ten-minute delay ensued at 2-2 to allow the roof to close and when play resumed, it was Murray who grabbed the break and a 4-2 lead. After being broken serving for the set, he captured the German's serve with a crosscourt backhand winner to force a fifth set.

In the decider, Murray struck first, a scintillating drop shot giving him a break and a 2-0 lead. In Otte's next service game, the Brit slipped and hurt his knee, but he was unhurt and he motored to the finish line, breaking Otte to love and capping off a memorable evening.

Murray found his best tennis late in the match/Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Murray found his best tennis late in the match/Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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