‘I can beat anyone in the world’
KYLE EDMUND has warned Andy Murray that he fears no one and revealed that watching England hero Harry Kane crashing home his penalties at the World Cup is inspiring him on to be No1 in the world.
Liverpool fan Edmund took over the British No1 slot when Murray had his year out recovering from knee surgery. He has watched his world ranking rise to No18, with a series of good performances and results this year.
The pair meet today in the second round of the Nature Valley Championships at Eastbourne, with Murray playing only his third game on his comeback trail.
In his first, at Queen’s Club last week, the ex-world No1 lost to Nick Kyrgios, but on Monday at Eastbourne he cruised past Stan Wawrinka to set up an all-British clash.
Murray won the two previous matches the pair have played, both in 2016, but Edmund goes into this one in a completely different position and frame of mind.
Edmund said: “I have the belief there is no one in the world I cannot beat. I’m at a stage now where I don’t fear anyone.
“These are the best players in the world. My game is right there with them. It is better than theirs. If you want to be the best you have to be obsessed and do it your way.
“I’ve the best forehand in the world. Let the racket do the talking. The great thing
SPORT IN BRIEF
REPORTS about tennis is that there are so many things to accomplish. There is that determination to achieve more and more – of course, becoming number one in the world.”
Edmund, 23, who practises regularly with Murray, added: “I’m a huge football fan and watching Harry score those penalties with such precision at the weekend reminded me of the way I want to train.
“You know what you need to do, you practise it hundreds of times and then you back yourself when it really matters. I’ve spent four off seasons with Andy and I remember thinking at the time, ‘This guy is number three in the world, his work ethic is incredible, if that is what number three looks like, I can’t expect to work less and get higher’. There are no shortcuts.”
Murray has told Edmund not to be satisfied with simply being British No1, saying: “For me the British No1 tag was never of any importance. It’s a global sport. I wanted to be the best in the world, not competing against who’s the best player in Britain. For some players maybe it’s important.
“Kyle being 18 in the world is an incredible achievement and a greater achievement than being the best in the UK. He is going to go higher than that.”
Murray’s coach Jamie Delgado says that despite the Scot’s caution over committing to play at Wimbledon, he does want to. “In terms of wanting to play, it’s 100 per cent,” said Delgado.
“It’s the biggest event of the year. The desire is huge to play there. But we’re just going day to day.
“We’ve got to take his body into consideration, which is the most important thing.”
JO KONTA eased into Eastbourne’s second round with a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 victory over Serbian Aleksandra Krunic and faces world No2 Caroline Wozniacki today.
Cameron Norrie set up another all-British clash against Jay Clarke by beating German Daniel Brands 7-5, 6-7, 6-2. Clarke beat American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-1.
Dan Evans’ dream of qualifying for Wimbledon after being refused a wild card perished last night as he lost 6-0, 6-3 in the second round of qualifying to German Matthias Bachinger.