TOUGH TASK
Edmund expects stiff contest vs Djokovic
AFTER so many years of cheering for Andy Murray as the best chance for a British title at Wimbledon, the lonely eyes of locals will turn to Kyle Edmund at Centre Court against Novak Djokovic as Week 1 comes to a close.
Murray, a two-time champion, withdrew before the tournament began because his surgically repaired hip wasn't ready for the rigors of five-setters. So now it's the 21st-seeded Edmund, a semifinalist at the Australian Open in January, who carries the nation's hopes as the only British player remaining in either singles draw.
But he has a tough task facing Djokovic, whose 12 Grand Slam titles include three at the All England Club. Djokovic, 31, has won three of four previous matches against Edmund, 23. And another victory for the Serb would give him his 44th trip to the fourth round at a major tournament, one more than Jimmy Connors and secondmost in the 50-year professional era, trailing only Roger Federer's 61 appearances.
"He's one of the best players in the world, one of the best players of all time," said Edmund, who never has been to the round of 16 at Wimbledon. "For sure, there's always that massive respect." Other men's matches worth keeping an eye on include No. 4 Alexander Zverev against the ever-talented and ever-volatile Ernests Gulbis, and No. 15 Nick Kyrgios against No. 24 Kei Nishikori.
Two big names in women's action are No. 1 Simona Halep, who won the French Open last month, and No. 11 Angelique Kerber, a twotime major titlist and the 2016 runner-up at Wimbledon.AP