EDMUND’S ALL SMILES AS HE CLINCHES FIRST ATP CROWN
KYLE EDMUND normally maintains a Yorkshire kind of stiff upper lip, but he was overwhelmed by emotion after winning his first ATP Tour title. The 23-year-old from the East Riding broke down as he embraced Swedish coach Freddie Rosengren after edging victory in the final of the indoor European Open in Antwerp, Belgium. Faced with flamboyant Frenchman Gael Monfils, Edmund twice came close to defeat before pulling through 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes. It all came down to a final-set tiebreak in which the British No1’s nerve held up the stronger as he clinched it 7-4. ‘I’m obviously very happy. A lot of work goes into this so it’s just emotional,’ he said. ‘I’ve not been able to string together my matches to win tournaments. ‘Today, I had to really dig deep and it’s great that I’ve been able to have this experience and come through.’