Edmund’s Paris win ends his bad run

KYLE Edmund ended an eight-match losing streak in convincing fashion with victory over Ricardas Berankis at the Rolex Paris Masters.

The 24-year-old had lost eight straight matches dating back to a victory over Nick Kyrgios in Montreal in early August, dropping to 75 in the world rankings as a result.

Edmund has not been helped by some difficult draws but this was a kinder one against Berankis and the British player used his powerful game to secure a 6-4 6-3 victory.

Edmund took a tight first set with the first break of serve in the 10th game, converting his fourth set point.

He stamped his authority on things at the start of the second set and extended his winning run to seven games to get to 5-0.

Berankis mounted a comeback with three quick games but Edmund played a confident final game to stop the rot.

He said: “For a lot of weeks my focus has just been winning my next match.

“I’ve been through a few disappointing weeks so it’s nice. I’m through and this was the last tournament of the season. So, if you don’t win, it’s another two months and a lot of time waiting and thinking for the next match.

“You find out a little bit about yourself and how you react to things. You’re the one that has to get out of the rut and I was very aware of that. I’ve tried very hard not to feel sorry for myself.”

Edmund next faces 14th seed Diego Schwartzman.

Daniil Medvedev crashed out after a surprise second-round defeat to Jeremy Chardy.

Russia’s world No 4 Medvedev was chasing his third straight ATP Tour title but came unstuck against the Frenchman, losing 6-4 2-6 4-6.

Medvedev had won 29 of his previous 32 matches since last summer’s Wimbledon and triumphed at his last two tournaments in St Petersburg and the Shanghai Masters.

KIKI Bertens came from a set down to defeat world No 1 Ashleigh Barty 3-6

6-3 6-4 in the WTA finals in Shenzhen, China. Barty led by a set and 3-2 but went off the boil, trailing 4-0 in the decider. She hit back but Bertens hung on to win.