KOPPITE KYLE IS GIVEN AN ED START
KYLE EDMUND’S reward for the best win of his career is a secondround clash with the Uzbek who shocked Novak Djokovic at the same stage last year.
Inspired by Liverpool’s win over Manchester City, the British No.2 and Kop fan twice fought back from a set down to beat US Open finalist and world No.11 Kevin Anderson (right, top) at the Australian Open. “I think this is my best win,” said the world No.49.
“Having lost to him in five sets at the French Open n last year, he made the final of the US Open on hard courts and the way the match ebbed and flowed – it was really satisfying I turned d it araround.” He now faces Denis Istomin Is (below, bottom), the Russian-born wildcard who overcame defending champion c Djokovic in five sets se in 2017. Istomin, who is coached c by his mum, is the world No.60. “He had a good win last year,” y said Edmund. “He’s obviously obv one of those guys that’s always really solid, really professional. You know what you’re going to get with him.”
Edmund, the only British man in the singles draw, broke his habit of failing to close out big matches by seeing off the 6ft 8in Anderson 6-7 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4.
He woke up to news of Liverpool’s Anfield victory. “Good result, wasn’t it?” he beamed.