The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Edmund’s perfect dress rehearsal for Paris clash
British No 1 ‘knows what to expect’ in match against Australian teen de Minaur
Kyle Edmund did not have to do too much swotting up on his first opponent at the French Open – he beat him three weeks ago.
The British No 1 one gets his Roland Garros campaign under way against Australian teenager Alex de Minaur today.
Edmund, seeded for the first time at a grand slam, beat de Minaur 6-2 7-5 on the clay of Estoril earlier this month in what now appears the perfect dress rehearsal for their Paris meeting.
“I practised with him probably three or four times before I played with him in Estoril, so I knew what to expect there,” said Edmund.
“The Estoril match was my only match against him. I felt like I played pretty well there.
“But of course his game is very energetic. He obviously has lots of energy and runs down a huge amount of balls.
“He’s not going to give points to you cheaply. I always felt like you’re going to be in the rallies against him.
“He’s not a guy that powers you off the court or a big server, but he certainly makes you earn the points. He’s a really good competitor.”
Edmund has been carrying the hopes of British men’s tennis for almost a year in the absence of Andy Murray, and his hard work has paid off with a ranking of 17 in the world.
“I know I’m improving and I’ve had some good results, but you want to see improvement of the rankings as well,” he added.
“It’s nice to have some results to show that.”
Cameron Norrie’s meteoric rise continued as he raced into the second round on his Roland Garros debut.
The 22-year-old British No 3 did not even bother watching the tournament this time last year, but he now faces the prospect of taking on French 15th seed Lucas Pouille on one of the Paris show courts tomorrow. Norrie, who only played his first professional match on clay in February, was leading 6-1 2-0 when first-round opponent Peter Gojowczyk retired injured.
Nevertheless, Norrie had looked assured and in complete control before Gojowczyk, the world No 43 from Germany, called it quits.
“I didn’t see it coming, not at all,” said Norrie.
“He was hitting the ball big and hitting well. It didn’t look like anything was bothering him too much.
“But I think start of the second set on his serve and then a little bit on his movement, I wrong-footed him a couple times.
“I was playing great. I was serving really well. I think that that was the best tennis I have played in my life. I think I was in the zone and not making any unforced errors, being the one dictating play.
“And I think if he’s winning that match, there’s no chance he’s retiring. So I think I outplayed him throughout, and it was unfortunate for him to pick up an injury.
“I would love to have kept playing, actually. I was feeling really good out there.
“At the US Open I got my first win with a retirement as well, so it would be nice actually to win a match, but I’ll take it.”
Norrie, whose ranking had jumped to 85 yesterday morning, roared through the first set in just 25 minutes, finishing the job with a booming ace.
During the changeover, Gojowczyk requested lengthy treatment for what appeared to be a hip injury.
Norrie immediately broke again to love with his opponent clearly not moving freely and – once another forehand whizzed past him – the German decided he could not continue.
“This time last year I didn’t even come here and I didn’t really follow it at all,” said Norrie.
“I headed straight to London and just got ready for the grass.”