The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Melbourne exploits put Edmund in the spotlight
British No 2 feels the excitement ahead of Cilic semi-final clash
Kyle Edmund is getting a sense of the excitement his Australian Open run is causing back home while he keeps his focus firmly on today’s semi-final against Marin Cilic.
The 23-year-old Yorkshireman has stunningly emerged as a contender for the big titles at Melbourne Park this fortnight, beating US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in the first round and third seed Grigor Dimitrov in the quarterfinals.
Edmund joked after his victory over Dimitrov that he now knows how Andy Murray feels after finding himself in the spotlight.
“It’s obviously been a lot more attention than I usually get, just loads more text messages, messages on social media,” he said.
“I know my family have been really busy with stuff there. My mate that runs the local tennis club, he’s been asked questions, school teachers and things.
“The reaction has been amazing. But I’m really just trying to block that out because I’m still playing in the tournament. I have a really good chance, I’m playing well, it’s going to be a great experience.”
Cilic is through to the semi-finals for the second time in Melbourne after outlasting Rafael Nadal, who retired with a hip muscle problem in the fifth set of their clash.
The 29-year-old lost to Britain’s Dan Evans in the first round here last season but is playing at a different level now and has not been beaten by a player ranked as low as world No 49 Edmund since then.
Edmund is looking to join select British company, with only Andy Murray and John Lloyd having reached the men’s final here in the Open era, while victory over Cilic would see Edmund surpass Murray as British No 1.
The pair have met once before, in Shanghai last October, when Cilic won in two tight sets.
Edmund said: “It’s a shame that Rafa had a problem. For me either way it was going to be a tough match. The fact that I’m facing Marin, it will be a great opportunity for me.
“I guess I have that little bit of a taste of being on court with him.
“The place I’m in now is really good so, what I’ve been doing, I’ll just try and carry on with that.”