Edmund served into submission by Kev but now fired up for first Wimbers win
Kyle Edmund will target a first ever Wimbledon win after missing out on making history at the French Open.
The British No.2 lost a five-set slugfest to Kevin Anderson after breaking the big South African’s serve only once.
He went down 6-7 (6/8) 7-6 (7/4) 5-7 6-1 6-4 in three hours and 58 minutes.
Two British men have never reached the fourth round in Paris in the Open era. And Edmund said: “It was a good match.
“There was so much to take from it positively — stuff I’ve been working on and showing good maturity in my game. I think the match was just very small margins, not much in it.
“And that’s the difference at this level. You learn as you go up.
“I’m now going to play Queen’s, Eastbourne and Wimbledon.
“I got my first tournament win on grass. I’ve never won a match at Wimbledon so that’s what I will be looking to do.”
Anderson (31) is one of the tallest players on tour at 6ft 8in and has a serve to match.
Edmund got nowhere near it in the opening set but still took it thanks to a confident and mature display. After losing the second set, the Brit’s serve had been the one under more pressure but he finally created a couple of break points at 5-5 in the third and seized his chance.
But having worked so hard to get his nose back in front, Edmund won just
eight points in the fourth set. He refocused for the decider and fought back from 0-40 in the fifth game but his resistance ran out at 4-4 as Anderson set up a clash with Marin Cilic.
But one big positive Edmund can take was how well he coped physically.
The Brit, who was playing only his fourth five-setter, has struggled with cramp in the past but said: “I held up pretty well.
“It gives me confidence. I didn’t lose the match for a physical reason. It was because of tennis.”
Meanwhile, world No.3 Stan Wawrinka – who is scheduled to meet Andy Murray in the semis – beat Fabio Fognini 7-6 (6-2) 6-0 6-2 to reach the last 16.
Wawrinka said: “It was a very good first set.
“I was a bit hesitant but after that I relaxed.”
Home favourite Alize Cornet shocked women’s No.9 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-1.