Beaten Edmund wins high praise from Nadal
KYLE EDMUND has come a long way for someone who first experienced clay-court tennis beside a rugby club in Goole. Last night the Yorkshireman drew copious praise from the greatest clay-courter of all, Rafael Nadal, after giving him a proper scare at the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters. Nadal knows a big forehand when he sees one, and he came close to being blown away by the 22-year-old. Eventually the king of Roland Garros prevailed 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in their second round match. It was enough to overshadow the earlier return of Andy Murray, who won through to today’s last 16. ‘He’s young,’ said Nadal of Edmund. ‘He has all the possibilities to become a top player: good serve, good forehand, not a bad backhand. When he’s able to put all those ingredients together, play solid enough, he will have the chance to be in the top positions. ‘His forehand is huge. He has potential to be fighting for important things soon.’ Nadal was broken three times in the second set by the British No 2 and faced a break point at 2-1 down in the decider. ‘I’m disappointed I lost, but I’m happy with the game I put on court,’ said Edmund. ‘I was pleased to see how I was hurting him on the court. He’s pretty much the best player on clay ever, so I take confidence from it.’ Murray will this morning play 15th seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain, having made what was eventually a highly satisfactory return in his first proper match after five weeks out with an elbow injury. Having been broken in the first game thanks to three double faults, he needed to save two set points before overhauling world No 28 Gilles Muller 7-5, 7-5. ‘My elbow’s always a bit sore. That’s nothing to do with this week,’ he said. ‘I did serve a little bit better as the match went on. I’m sure that side of my game will get better with each match that I play. I feel good but what I really need is more matches.’ To that end he is considering taking an unusual detour to play in Budapest next week. ‘I’ve never been to Budapest before,’ said the 29-year-old. ‘It’s a new tournament and it’s not as strong (as the concurrent event in Barcelona) in terms of the player field, so there is maybe a chance of getting more matches there.’