EDMUND HITS NEW HEIGHTS
British No 1 downs Djokovic in Madrid
Andy MURRay may be struggling but there remains a British player inhabiting the world’s top 20 and capable of beating novak djokovic.
Kyle edmund’s ranking should move into the teens next week after a stunning 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 defeat of the Serb yesterday to make the third round of the Madrid open, a Masters-level event.
It is the biggest scalp of the 23-year-old yorkshireman’s career and he now faces Belgium’s david Goffin.
While djokovic is still not the force of two years ago, he was not far from it in the second set and until the latter stages of the decider. He is a formidable presence at the other end of the court and ranked no12 in the world, so this was a fine effort from edmund.
the British no 1 looked the most convincing he has been since reaching the australian open semi-finals, with his backhand holding up well against a tough examination.
‘It was a great experience to beat novak, I’ve lost to him three times,’ said edmund.
‘He’s a legend of the game, so your first match when you share the court is an experience. But now, especially after reaching the semis of the australian open, it’s time to try and beat these guys and I was very pleased with how I managed my game, especially in the third set.
‘after australia, I got a little bit ill and didn’t have a great run of results until I reached my first final (in Morocco), so it’s nice to come out here and beat a top player like novak.
‘I knew rallying with him and trying to beat him at his own game I wasn’t going to win, so it was important for me to go out there and be expressive.
‘after the australian open, it was a goal of mine to get inside the top 20.
‘you have to set targets and I thought that was a very realistic target, so I’m pleased. But you know the way tennis works, you reach a target but it doesn’t stop and you keep trying to get better.’
It was edmund who played better in the decisive moments, such as when he recovered to hold serve from 0-40 down at 2-2 in the decider.
He got a fortunate bounce when breaking for 5-3 and then nervelessly served the match out to love.
djokovic, who has been hampered by a long-term elbow injury, has now not reached the last eight of a tournament since last year’s Wimbledon.
He has struggled on his return to clay ahead of the French open, having suffered early exits in Monte carlo and Barcelona last month.
‘there are obvious things that are not working well for me,’ said the 12-time grand slam champion.
‘But I have to keep working on them and pray — and hope — that my game will get stronger moving forward in the season.’
Rafa nadal also progressed as he defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-1 to lift his total of successive set wins to 48. If he defeats his next opponent in straight sets, he will have overhauled the record established by John Mcenroe 34 years ago.
‘the start of the clay-court season has been almost perfect for me,’ said nadal, who extended his winning run on the surface to 20 matches.
‘I played great events in Monte carlo and Barcelona and here we are in Madrid another year. It’s always very special for me to play here in front of the crowd, so I’m excited about it.’
Meanwhile, Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week’s Italian open in Rome.
It is the second successive event the former world no 1 has pulled out of, having also decided not to play in Madrid this week.
Williams made her comeback in March, six months after giving birth to baby olympia, but focused on training following tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami as she attempted to return to top shape.
a statement from the tournament said: ‘We are sad to announce that Serena Williams, a four-time champion in Rome, has withdrawn from this year’s tournament. obviously, we can’t wait to see her again on Foro Italico’s red clay.’
there must now be some doubt over whether Williams will play at the French open later this month. Were she to make her Grand Slam comeback at Roland Garros, it would be without having played a match on clay since 2016.