KYLE GOES IT ALONE
MIKE DICKSON Edmund is the last Brit standing after Norrie and Watson bow out
FOR the third Grand Slam in succession, Kyle Edmund is the last British singles player standing, planting his union flag on a Murray-less landscape.
Less than a minute separated his second-round win over Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics yesterday and the defeat of Cameron Norrie — or Chuck Norris, as he is apparently known in some parts.
Norrie — apparently mistaken for the American action hero while playing in Argentina — may soon be keeping Edmund company on the evidence of his improvement this season, and he came within one point of taking 15th seed Lucas Pouille to a deciding set.
Heather Watson also perished, so it comes down to the blond Yorkshire slugger, who now has a fascinating contest against the contrasting figure of Italian cavalier Fabio Fognini. Edmund progressed via a 6-0, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Fucsovics, with the second set undulation contributed to by the splitting of what he described as a ‘paper cut’ on his racket-holding finger that required taping.
The British No1 declared himself unfussed about carrying GB hopes once again. ‘It’s just the way it goes,’ he said. ‘Unfortunately, the nature of British tennis is there is always a few of us guys, not a whole lot. I have probably been the first to go out before, and someone else has been on their own.’
For most of yesterday’s match he was again impressive. More of the same will be needed when he tackles the gifted but irascible Fognini, ranked one place below him at No18.
‘He’s an emotional type of player,’ said Edmund. ‘He’s beaten Rafa Nadal a few times (twice on clay). He knows his way around the court, he’s very smart.’
Norrie’s journey to the biggest stages, such as Court Philippe Chatrier, has been unusual, including taking in the American college circuit. Late last year he also spent time playing club tennis in Argentina, which doubtless helped his rapid progress on clay.
‘They thought my name was Chuck Norris at the team I played for. I guess it’s an honour to be compared to him,’ he said.
Resuming at two sets to one down, he again made life difficult for Pouille, despite having had a difficult night due to stomach pains. ‘I struggled to fall asleep. I’m not sure what I ate but the doctor told me to keep eating rice,’ said Norrie after finally losing 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6.
He created a set point at 5-4, only for the Frenchman to hammer down an unplayable ace. After losing serve he then broke back to force a tiebreak, which was in the balance until he lost a point at 3-5 for touching the net with his toe after hitting a winning volley.
There was enough resistance and creativity in his play to suggest he will soon rise well above his current ranking of 85. Pouille tipped Norrie as one to watch. ‘He beat John Isner last week, that means he’s probably about to beat the best players in the world. I’m sure he has a good future,’ said the Frenchman.
Watson had her serve broken eight times in losing 6-3, 6-4 to women’s No 16 seed Elise Mertens.
Serena Williams last night knocked out 17th seed Ashleigh Barty of Australia, recovering from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Again wearing her distinctive ‘Catwoman’ outfit, Williams showed all her power to book her place in the third round.