BRIT POPPED; WIMBLEDON: IT'S A DAY TWO DISASTER.

Byline: NEIL McLEMAN

ANDY MURRAY salvaged home pride on Centre Court last night as British tennis crashed towards its worst Wimbledon ever.

The world No.3 opened his bid to win his first Grand Slam with a four-set win over American Robert Kendrick.

But six other Brits crumbled on a day of carnage to join the three losers on the first day. It guys equals Britain's worst-ever showing in the Open era, which came in 2007 when Murray was out injured with a wrist injury.

Only Tim Henman and Katie O'Brien won matches then - and both lost in the second round.

It might have been even worse last night, but Brit Elena Baltacha held her nerve to triumph 3-6 6-3 6-4 against Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko.

Murray, second favourite for the tournament, needed two hours and 38 minutes to beat world No.76 Kendrick 7-5 6-7 (3) 6-3 6-4. He will now face Latvia's Ernests Gulbis. "It's not great. I think the depth needs to get way better. It's not acceptable," said Murray. "

It's not picking out any of the players in particular, because I watched some of them play, and some of them played well.

"But they aren't at the same level as a lot of guys.

"They don't play at this level too often because they're not ranked that high."

The fall PAGES 60, 61, 62 & 63

CAPTION(S):

CRYING GAME Keothavong breaks down in tears after her 7-5 6-2 defeat to Patricia Mayr EL OF A VICTORY Baltacha won in three sets last night