Wimbledon 2017: Andy Murray quells Fabio Fognini fightback to progress to last 16

The Wimbledon champion looked almost certain to be dragged into a fifth set by Fognini when he trailed 5-2 in the fourth, but he showed his mettle to save five set points and win five straight games to wrap up victory in two hours 39 minutes.

The momentum in the match swung dramatically from one player to the other with Murray breaking twice to clinch the first set before the Italian battled back in the second to level.

"The end of match was tense. It was a tight game to break him at 5-5 as well. I served really well to finish but it was an up and down match," said Murray post match.

Britain's world number one regained the initiative as Fognini appeared to be struggling with an ankle injury, but the top seed's hopes of an easy route into the last 16 were smashed as the Italian came out firing in the fourth.

Fognini broke Murray in the fifth game and then had a series of set points both on his serve and the Briton's.

Yet, with the Centre Court crowd willing Murray on, he fought back, breaking twice before serving out with an ace.

"It wasn't the best tennis, it was a little bit tense, but I managed to get through."

Murray will face France's Benoit Paire in the fourth round.