The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Edmund hopes ended by Andujar in decider
British number one bows out in first round after five-set defeat by Spaniard
British number one Kyle Edmund’s US Open campaign was ended in the first round for the second year running.
The 24-year-old could not join compatriots Johanna Konta and Dan Evans in round two after a dispiriting five-set defeat on unlucky Court 13.
Last year Italian Paolo Lorenzi was the beneficiary of Edmund’s below-par display. Fast forward 12 months and Pablo Andujar, a 33-year-old Spaniard, outlasted the 30th seed.
A close match featuring 13 breaks of serve – seven for Andujar – swung in a marathon fifth game in the deciding set.
Edmund was unable to get over the line on his own serve, and did not win another game in a 3-6 7-6 (7-1) 7-5 5-7 6-2 defeat.
Earlier, Edmund had recovered from dropping his opening service game to take the first set with relatively little drama, and looked on course for a routine win when a break up in the second.
The clubbing Edmund forehand was cranking up to speed and Andujar was struggling to stay with him.
But suddenly a sloppy service game saw Edmund 0-40 down and Andujar, ranked 70 in the world, took advantage before running away with the tie-break.
Andujar has struggled with injuries for much of his career but he was suddenly looking the sprightlier as the rallies progressed.
He nicked a tight third set, Edmund responded in kind in the fourth, but he came up short in the decider as Andujar celebrated a first Flushing Meadows win since 2014.
Stefanos Tsitsipas tumbled out to inspired Russian Andrey Rublev.
Tsitsipas, seeded eight, has now endured consecutive first-round exits at grand slams following an early departure at Wimbledon.
The 21-year-old was clearly struggling with cramp during a ding-dong encounter on Louis Armstrong. Yet he put in a serious fight, breaking Rublev to love as he served for the match.
But Rublev, also 21, was not to be denied and broke straight back before holding his nerve and his serve to wrap up a breathless 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (9-7) 7-5 win.
World number 43 Rublev, who beat Roger Federer in Cincinnati earlier this month, said: “It was tough conditions for both of us and we played an amazing match.
“He started to cramp, I know what it’s like, I was cramping too and tried not to show it.
“But this is amazing, winning matches like this gives you confidence.”
Tsitsipas was penalised for a coaching violation and later in the match was overheard saying to umpire Damien Dumusois “you’re all weirdos”.
He was unrepentant afterwards, claiming Dumusois has something against him.
“The chair umpire was very incorrect in what he was telling me during the match,” Tsitsipas said.
“I don’t know what this chair umpire has in specific against my team but he’s been complaining and telling me that my team talks all of the time when I’m out on the court playing.”
Wimbledon semi-finalist Roberto Bautista Agut was another seed to bite the dust after a gruelling five-setter.
Bautista Agut, seeded 10, lost 3-6 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-3 to Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan.
John Isner, the 14th seed, beat Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in straight sets.