The Brit is hoping to become the first winner of the men's title since Fred Perry in 1936.
On paper it might appear to be a gentle start for Murray but Kendrick took Rafael Nadal to five sets in the second round in 2006 and the Briton is unlikely to underestimate the threat he poses.
His quarter of the draw also includes 2008 semi-finalist Marat Safin, who is making his last appearance in London.
Rafael Nadal's withdrawal means Murray is the highest seed left in that half of the draw with number five seed Juan Martin Del Potro replacing Nadal at the top of the draw.
French Open champion Roger Federer, in pursuit of a record 15th Grand Slam title, and will open his account against Taiwan's Lu Yen-hsun.
However, he will have noted that he could run into Roland Garros runner-up Robin Soderling for the second time in less than a month in the last 16. Big-serving Croatian dangerman Ivo Karlovic lurks as a potential last-eight opponent.
World number four Novak Djokovic will take on Frenchman Julien Benneteau and was drawn in the same half of the draw as Federer.
Murray's fellow Britons in the men's draw have all been handed tough opening matches.
James Ward has been paired against Fernando Verdasco, seeded seventh, from Spain, while Dan Evans plays number 12 seed Nikolay Davydenko, Alex Bogdanovic plays 20th seed Tomas Berdych and Josh Goodall plays Michael Llodra.
Defending women's champion and third seed Venus Williams, who is the favourite to win a sixth singles title at the grasscourt championships, faces Swiss Stefanie Voegele and could line up against world number one Dinara Safina in the semis.
There could be an all-Williams final showdown at Wimbledon for the second year running since the American sisters were picked in separate halves of the draw.
Second seed Serena Williams, the US and Australian Opens holder, will begin against Portuguese qualifier Neuza Silva and could face a quarter-final showdown against 2004 champion Maria Sharapova.
The top-half draw looks more treacherous for Venus since Serbs Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic and French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova all have the potential to trip her up if she has an off day.
Kuznetsova will first face Japan's Akiko Morigami and could run into Safina in the last eight in a repeat of the Roland Garros final.
Safina may, however, have to survive a fourth-round showdown with 2006 champion Amelie Mauresmo if she wants to earn a chance to gain revenge.
Briton Anne Keothavong will open her account against Austrian Patricia Mayr, the world number 81, with a potential second round clash against number 32 seed Anna Chakvetadze on the cards.
Laura Robson, who gained a wildcard after winning the girls' title at The All England Club last year, will make her senior debut against former world number five Daniela Hantuchova.
Georgie Stoop faces Russian Vera Zvonareva, the number seven seed and winner of nine WTA titles, in her first round match while Mel South plays Mathilde Johansson, Katie O'Brien plays Iveta Benesova and Elena Baltacha plays Alona Bondarenko.
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