Djokovic, Wozniacki bite the dust early in Madrid

Beating Novak, a legend of the game, a great experience, Edmund says

Britain’s Kyle Edmund enjoyed one of the biggest triumphs of his career by defeating former world number one Novak Djokovic 6-3 2-6 6-3 in the second round of the Madrid Open yesterday.

Djokovic, a two-time champion in the Spanish capital, has not won a deciding set this year and, having previously suffered final set losses to Martin Klizan, Dominic Thiem and Taro Daniel, the 30-year-old Serb’s disappointing run continued.

Edmund claimed the decisive break in the eighth game of the decider before coolly closing out his service game to love for his 14th match win of the year.

“It was a great experience to beat Novak, he is a legend of the game,” Edmund told Sky Sports. “It’s time to try and beat these guys and I was pleased how I managed my game.” The world N0. 22 will face eighthseeded Belgian David Goffin in the third round.

Caroline Wozniacki’s bid to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking this week ended when she lost to world No. 20 Kiki Bertens in the third round in Madrid.

Top spot

Bertens, who reached the 2016 French Open semifinals, beat the 27-year-old Dane 6-2 6-2 in an hour to claim the biggest scalp of her career.

Australian Open champion Wozniacki had to win the Madrid title to overhaul Simona Halep in the top spot but her defeat means the Romanian will retain first place.

Bertens will face five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova or Kristina Mladenovic of France in the last eight.

Earlier yesterday, Halep strolled into the quarter-finals with a 6-1 6-4 win over Czech Kristyna Pliskova.