Murray isn't firing on all cylinders just yet, the Scot making a couple of easy mistakes to find himself 0-30 down. Stepanek has a golden opportunity for three break points, but his forehand narrowly drifts into the tramlines. Murray feeds off the error, rattling of the next three points for game point.

A stunning point follows, Murray scrambling to the net to retrieve a Stepanek drop. He just gets there, before whipping the ball back cross-court. Stepanek leaps for the ball, losing his footing and grip of the racquet, but misses. A game well saved by Murray.

Image source, PA

Murray finds himself running from the net to the baseline in chase of a Stepanek lob and gets enough on the ball to keep it in play. The Scot even anticipates the direction of the smash, but can't control the ball and net. Stepanek continues to keep Murray on the run, his solid play at the net shortening the points and giving Murray less time to react. A double fault is a rare error and Stepanek wins the next point to close out the game.

Murray is kept waiting as a few latecomers in the crowd seem to take an age shuffling along into their seats. Fortunately for them, they're just in time to see a great play from Stepanek, racing to the net and putting away a backhand volley for 15-30. Two can play that game, though, with Murray throwing in a stop volley of his own and the game is his when the Czech hits long. Still, there was enough there to suggest Murray will have to work for the win this afternoon.

Peter Fleming
Seven-time Grand Slam doubles champion on BBC TV

"Matches are not won on paper and Radek Stepanek has ignored those who feel he doesn't have the firepower to combat Andy Murray. He has established his old-school game and controlled his game beautifully."

Solid. That's the best way to describe that game for Stepanek. The Czech pulls off a delicious double-handed backhand, a well controlled smash and a bullet of an ace down the middle of the court to easy through the game to 15.

Ross McD:, external Stepanek will always be remembered as the scalp that truly announced Murrays arrival on the tennis stage. No taking him lightly.

Stepanek sniffs an opportunity at 15-30, the Czech choosing to rally with Murray rather than head towards the net early in this game. The Scot fights back, bringing up game point with a serve that draws Stepanek out of court to provide Murray with the easy put away. A double fault brings up break point and the Czech takes it, scooping a forehand, that falls behind him, down the line.

Stepanek has a clear game plan. Charge to the net and put his impressive volleying technique into action. Murray, though, is wise to this tactic and his brilliant backhand needs little warm-up, the Scot rattling one down the line to bring up break point. Again, in charges Stepanek and the Czech pulls off some brilliant volleys, but Murray keeps firing and eventually wrong-foots his opponent, whipping a backhand cross-court to make the perfect start.

John McEnerney:, external A good stern test is the order of the day for Andy. No use going into Wimbledon without being really tested. He has to get a full shot workout.

The players are ready, the umpire is ready, most of the crowd is ready - though there are a few stragglers still making their way to their seats, with champagne in hand. Let's do this.

John Lloyd
Former British number one on BBC TV

Image source, Getty Images

"I have great admiration for Radek. He plays singles and doubles every week and won the deciding rubber in the Davis Cup final to see Czech Republic retain the title. Week in, week out, he's consistent and he's always there or thereabouts. He's a dangerous player, he can come into the net and is one of the best volleyers on the tour. This match is not a forgone conclusion. Radek knows his way round a grass court."

In his first column of the summer for BBC Sport, Andy Murray talks about how his partnership with new coach Amelie Mauresmo started with a text message: "I'm looking for a coach at the moment. If you're interested in chatting to me, let me know." Read more here.

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Andy Murray looked in good shape as he made a winning start to his grass court season - and partnership with new coach Amelie Mauresmo - with a straight sets victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu yesterday. The Scot, trying to win his fourth Aegon Championships title, won 6-4 6-4 to reach the last 16.

Piers Newbery
BBC Sport at Queen's Club

"It's another beautiful day, with sunblock the most-prized possession among the media seats, and running around seems like a foolhardy endeavour. Yesterday's official temperature on court during Murray's win over Mathieu was 23C, but it felt considerably hotter, and today is no different. Murray was back out on the practice court with coach Mauresmo and team at 11:00 BST this morning, and returning serve could be key today against an opponent keen to get to the net."

Image source, Getty Images

The last time these two met, it was at Wimbledon in 2005 and it was a match in which Andy Murray announced himself on the scene. The then 18-year-old beat the then 14th seed in straight sets on Court One.

Image source, Getty Images

Afternoon all and welcome to our live coverage of the Aegon Championships at the Queen's Club. Tomas Berdych has just beaten Adrian Mannarino in straight sets which means it's Andy Murray time. The Scot takes on Radek Stepanek, the former world number five who is currently ranked 42nd.

We've got sunshine. We've got silky ball skills. We've got tennis on a sandy court, in the shadow of Sugarloaf mountain. OK, maybe not quite. But it's still a carnival of tennis in West London with Britain's Andy Murray moment away from stepping out on court.