WIMBLEDON, England — One message read: “Believe in yourself and never give up.” Another simply said: “Make history.”

The words of support from Facebook fans printed on Andy Murray’s racket bag looked as if they might be having the opposite effect Monday when he dropped his first set at Wimbledon.

Then, as if flicking on a switch, Murray reeled off 15 consecutive games for a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 victory over Daniel Gimeno-Traver to reach the second round.

Gimeno-Traver began the match confidently under the roof at Centre Court and hit some particularly good forehands, but by the end, the 56th-ranked Spaniard looked every bit the player who has lost in the first round at eight of his 12 Grand Slam tournaments.

And Murray’s unusual bag — the brainchild of his racket sponsor — didn’t end up being consigned to history. Murray said it might even turn out to be a source of inspiration in the future.

Turnaround

After blowing a big lead and losing at the French Open, 19-year-old Christina McHale of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., made sure she didn’t make the same mistake at Wimbledon.

McHale reached the second round at the All England Club for the first time — and at any Grand Slam tournament for only the second time — by eliminating 28th-seeded Ekaterina Makarova of Russia 2-6, 6-1, 8-6 Monday.

Last month in Paris, McHale led Sara Errani of Italy 5-0 in the third set before losing 6-7 (4), 6-2, 9-7.

Against Makarova, McHale served for the match at 7-6 and fell behind love-40. But she came back to pull out the victory and improve to 2-6 at major tournaments.

Texting Rory

Rafael Nadal tried texting Rory McIlroy after the Northern Irishman won golf’s U.S. Open. Nadal’s didn’t hear back right away. Now the tennis star could get a chance to congratulate his pal in person.

McIlroy is expected to visit Wimbledon next week.

Nadal watched McIlroy’s eight-stroke victory in Bethesda, Md., over the past few days.

“When you have to defend the advantage, you start to play a little bit more defensive. Sometimes can be dangerous. And he did perfect. He managed the moments perfect, in my opinion,” Nadal said.