KYLE CLAIMS A SECOND SCALP

KYLE EDMUND’S rapidly improving fortunes against the world’s best players leave him on the verge of another career breakthrough after a second big win in 24 hours. The British No 1 will today face 19-year-old Canadian Denis Shapovalov after backing up Wednesday’s victory against Novak Djokovic with an equally impressive performance to beat world No 10 David Goffin and make the last eight of the Madrid Open. Edmund has not been this far in a Masters-level event before, and while Shapovalov is the hottest young property in the sport, the draw presents a real chance for the 23-year-old Yorkshireman to go deeper into the world’s top 20. If anything, Edmund played even better to beat the skilful Belgian 6-3, 6-3 than he did in taking down the slowly recovering Djokovic, pulling off the often difficult trick of following up one significant victory with another. ‘I picked my moments to be aggressive,’ said Edmund (right). ‘I did that well yesterday and today was more of the same. My serve got me through some tricky situations. Djokovic was tough and David is a top player so it’s very pleasing.’ Edmund, whose forehand is even more formidable in the warm conditions and slight altitude in Madrid, has turned around his record against the best. Last season he went 2-10 against the top 20, while this year he is 4-2. Rafael Nadal is also through to the quarter-finals. His 6-3, 6-4 defeat of Argentine Diego Schwartzman means he has now won his last 50 sets in a row on clay, breaking John McEnroe’s record for sets won on a single surface. The American won 49 sets on carpet in

1984. Meanwhile, Judy Murray, mother of Andy, has insisted there is still a chance her son could play the grass season, although his training has had to be scaled back in recent weeks as he tries to return after hip surgery in January. ‘He’s doing everything he can to get ready and I am sure when he’s got some news he will share that but his goal was always to be ready for the grass-court season, and fingers crossed that will happen,’ she told the BBC. Asked if there were serious fears that he might never play again at the highest level, she said: ‘I don’t think so, I think he’s still got a lot of things he wants to achieve in the game.’