KYLE HIGH!
Edmund beats Murray in top-quality clash
TheRe were times last night when Andy Murray must have been wishing that Wimbledon was actually going ahead next week.
Kyle edmund as well, because the two of them produced a match of remarkably crisp quality for a duo who have not been acquainted with competitive tennis for many months.
The 25-year-old Yorkshireman clinched it 6-7, 7-6 and then 10-5 in a ‘champions tiebreaker’ — the method to decide matters at this self- styled Battle of the Brits.
The two- time Wimbledon champion slightly faded at the end of two hours and 31 minutes of punishing exchanges, and today he will have to defeat James Ward to book his place in the semi-finals.
Yet in his serve, returns and passing shots, there was plenty for the 33-year-old Scot to take from this against a top 50 player, considering it was only his second outing since November.
‘It was much better than yesterday — the way I hit the ball from the back of the court,’ said Murray. ‘It would have been nice to come through but I made a few poor decisions at the end.
‘I’m not too bothered about the results — if my hip is good, my tennis is only going to get better. There were positive signs. My groin was a little sore but I felt all right as the match went on.’
Murray added that he is inclined to play the Citi Open in Washington, prior to the US Open in late-August.
edmund, occasionally impetuous in these sealed- off surroundings, was impressed. ‘he has had a big operation but he is still able to move well,’ he said. ‘he has found some sharpness and his anticipation helps him. It’s not easy to hit through him. You are still playing Andy Murray, who’s won so much.’
It was another steaming-hot environment — event promoter Jamie Murray was not to know that this would be the hottest week of the year to stage an event indoors, mainly because it is easier to operate all the required safety protocols.
edmund was always going to provide a proper test, having made an encouraging start to the year which saw him win the New York Open pre-lockdown.
he has emerged from the hiatus beefed up by an extra 4kg of muscle, having all the more power to put behind his blistering forehand. The court this week is of tight dimensions, but Murray was able to soak up his opponent’s aggression in an impressive first set.
edmund got ahead in the second set but was immediately broken back, as he continued with his tendency to force the pace too hard and make errors.
Murray was clinical in the opening tiebreak, but was always behind in losing the second one 7-5. There were a few too many mistakes at the end but he was seriously competitive, occasionally letting out high- pitched screams of frustration.
earlier, there were wins for Cam Norrie and James Ward over late substitute Ryan Peniston and Liam Broady respectively. Places are still there for the taking in the weekend’s semi-finals.