Britain's great hope for a first domestic victory at SW19 since Fred Perry in 1936 clearly found an inspired opponent - and perhaps all the hype and weight of expectation - difficult to deal with before he conquered some frayed nerves and finally subdued his Californian opponent in two hours and 38 minutes of compelling action.
"It was a tough match for me," said a relieved Murray afterwards. "He was a difficult opponent who made it hard for me. He played very aggressive but it was a good test for me at this stage."
Indeed, perhaps it may turn out not to be a bad thing for the number three seed to have been given such an unexpectedly rousing test here.
Kendrick, belying his world ranking of 76, proved surprisingly formidable, as he went for broke, throwing himself around in his back-to-front cap like an ageing Boris Becker, volleying handsomely and hitting cracking forehands.
Indeed, Murray did well to compose himself in the crucial latter exchanges. Still, though, he will have to raise his game substantially again to meet the challenge of the dangerous Latvian Ernests Gulbis in the second round.
And yet this trial had all seemed so unlikely when the game started and Murray immediately earned a break. The last time the pair had met on grass three years ago Kendrick had failed to win a single game and the suspicion was that Murray, victor in their three previous matches, was again ready to waltz to victory.
But the Californian proved of sterner stuff than the Centre Court had expected when, 4-3 down, he earned a break point with a couple of thumping forehands before Murray double faulted.
Suddenly the momentum had shifted and a discomfited Murray found himself at 0-30 down when serving to save the set at 4-5. Only a successful challenge to Hawkeye after a serve was called out turned the tide in the game and Murray was buoyed to step up a gear to immediately earn the decisive break.
Kendrick hung in and, after a second set with no breaks, got lucky with a net cord before Murray double-faulted to hand him the crucial mini-break. When Murray netted a simple backhand, a huge Kendrick first serve sealed the deal 7-3.
With mum Judy watching at courtside, there was evident concern in the Murray camp until Kendrick finally offered a touch of flimsiness on his previously solid serve at 2-3 in the third to be broken.
Still, though, Murray seemed horribly nervous as he tried to serve out for the set at 5-3. At 0-30 down, Kendrick missed two big chances to drag himself back into the game and then hurled himself Boris Becker-like to make a winning volley and earn himself break back point.
Murray held firm to rescue the game and the set and, for the first time for an hour, he felt in some sort of control, Kendrick never stopped trying but the Scot played a dazzling break point, dragging Kendrick into the net with a drop shot and setting him up for the pass, in the critical fifth game.
Still, Kendrick wouldn't lie down. He saved a match point at 3-5 but when Murray, serving, landed a second opportunity he made no mistake.
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