Australian Open 2018: Kyle Edmund beats Kevin Anderson in five sets
Last updated on .From the section Tennis
| 2018 Australian Open |
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| Dates: 15-28 January Venue: Melbourne Park |
| Coverage: Watch highlights on BBC Two, the BBC Sport website and app. Live commentary on the best matches on BBC Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra and online. |
Kyle Edmund claimed the best win of his career as he knocked out 11th seed Kevin Anderson in five sets at the Australian Open.
Edmund, the only British man in the singles draw, won 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 in the first round in Melbourne.
The 23-year-old, ranked 49th, twice came back from a set down and recovered from 2-0 behind in the final set to win in a minute short of four hours.
He goes on to face Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in the second round.
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Edmund's best previous victory at a Grand Slam tournament, in terms of rankings, had been his win over 15th seed Richard Gasquet at the 2016 US Open.
He had lost his only previous encounter with Anderson over five sets at last year's French Open, and was in no mood to suffer a similar defeat by the South African.
Asked if it ranked as his best win to date, Edmund told BBC Radio 5 live: "I think so.
"In the circumstances, having lost to him in five sets last year, he made the final of the US Open on hard courts, and the way the match ebbed and flowed - it was really satisfying that I turned it around."
'I back myself' - Edmund
Anderson, 31, was predictably dominant for periods on serve, using his 6ft 8in frame to good effect as he finished with 35 aces to Edmund's 11.
It was a mark of Edmund's progress that, unlike in Paris, he remained aggressive in the tense closing stages, finishing with 31 forehand winners.
"It's my game, it's what works best for me and I'm confident in it," Edmund said.
"I don't play that way flipping a coin - this one might go in, it might not. I back myself and go for my shots.
"It's the way I've always approached it, and maybe I'm getting better at it as I get more experience."
Paris memories banished
Edmund twice came back from a set down, and recovered an early break of serve in the decider as he simply refused to yield to the 11th seed.
He had been working on his returns in the off-season, and it paid off.
After losing a tight first set on the tie-break, Edmund's heavy forehand began to find its range as he broke for 4-2 on his way to taking the second.
Anderson's experience told in the third set as he reeled off six of seven points following a rain delay to move ahead once again.
However, urged on by a large British contingent on court three, Edmund broke early in the fourth and roared as he held on from 0-40 to consolidate.
Memories of Paris stirred when Anderson took control of the fifth set at 2-0, but this time Edmund hit straight back.
A shoulder rub was required as the match clock approached four hours but Edmund continued to play aggressively, forcing the errors from Anderson to break serve for a fourth time.
The Briton admitted before the match that he had lost too many matches from winning positions last year and made no mistake this time, sweeping his 31st forehand winner of the day to clinch victory.
'I'm not sure pink suits me'
Liverpool supporter Edmund revealed after the match that he had been spurred on by news of his side's dramatic 4-3 Premier League win against Manchester City when he woke up on Monday morning.
"Good result, wasn't it?" he smiled.
"I spoke to a couple of friends, they sent me a text saying they were at the game. They said it was the best atmosphere it's been at Anfield for a long time, so it was pleasing."
The Yorkshireman was less impressed by his sponsors' latest pink outfit.
"It's a bright colour and I'm not sure it suits me the best, but once you're on there you forget about it and just play tennis," he said.
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Comments
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That broken clock is still right two times more than you today - brilliant and gutsy first win over top seeded payer, only downside is I'm knackered this morning!
#backthebrits
Good luck in the next round!
Oh yes, a word of advice to you dumb prats who know nothing about tennis.
Keep your comments for articles related to Big Brother and TOWIE.
"I am voting down because he didn't deserve to win, it was a bit of a fluke."
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He won over five sets (and only narrowly one of the sets Anderson won narrowly on a tie-break), withstood 35 aces and played 31 forehand winners alone. And you call that a fluke? Rubbish, if you win over five sets it's because you DESERVE to.
I can only imagine how horrible it must be to live life as such a sour person.
one insult shot down so thought you try another i see....
I don't believe anyone on here is even suggesting he'll win the whole thing so not sure what your point is.
Murray is injured so yes he cant win. your point?
i believe a journeyman is often refered to as player near the end of their career. Edmund is 23
talentless? yep top 50 in world is so talentless!
"Kyle wins battle of South Africans."
He's lived here since he was 3, for Pete's sake. Do you regard Cliff Richard and Spike Milligan as Indians?