HE is No.1 with the Centre Court.

But Andy Murray joked that he finishes second when it comes to preferential treatment in his family.

The 27-year-old mischievously pointed out that his marvellous three-set victory over Robert Bautista Agut had not been witnessed by any of his family as they were watching his older brother, Jamie, win a doubles John Peers against Jamie Delgado and Gilles Muller on Court 2.

The BBC cameras were trained on Murray the younger with millions watching around the world, but the Wimbledon champion said of Jamie, 28: "It's a shame we were on at the same time because none of my family came to watch me. I am obviously number two son!

"It's always been the case, that's why I have always been so competitive."

All this was said with a smile, but Murray was deadly serious on court. He has now played three matches at Wimbledon 2014 and not dropped a set.

His victory over the Spaniard came in one hour and 35 minutes and sets Murray up for a fourth-round clash against the giant South African Kevin Anderson on Monday after the 20th seed beat Fabio Fognini of Italy on Court 17.

Bautista Agut, seeded 27th and ranked 23rd in the world, was expected to give Murray a run for his money.

It turned into a stroll on the lush grass of Centre Court for the magnificent Scot.

"There were a lot of close games and it's good to get it done in straight sets," Murray said.

"He's the best opponent I've played so far in the tournament, and as a step up I felt I responded well.

"There's a few things I could improve on, but it's a good first week.

"I had enough long matches in the French Open to get me physically ready."

Bautista Agut had spoken before the match of how he would not be "scared" of facing the champion on home ground, but after winning the first six points his game was steadily picked apart.

Murray worked his way into the contest by winning a 27-stroke rally and broke to love after spectacular forehand cross-court pass on the run.

A second break helped the Scot take the first set in 26 minutes and he drew Bautista Agut into a forehand error to move ahead in the second, before whipping up a cross-court winner to break for the fourth time.

He was broken in both the second and third sets, but was dominant generally he weathered these setbacks with ease.

He closed out the match to rapturous applause and he now looks forward to Anderson.

The South African, though, is less enamoured at the prospect of facing the Olympic gold medallist.

"I don't need to go on too much about how he is as a tennis player," said the 6ft 8ins Anderson.

"He's one of the best. There are so many parts of his game that are so good,"

"There will be a few challenges. I think the biggest will be staying calm, regardless of what court we may be on or all those outside factors. I've practised with him a few times in Miami where we both have homes."

But a practice match is a far cry from a clash at the home of tennis against the Centre Court's favourite son.