Scot Aidan Mchugh

Briton says he has plenty of positives to take despite semi-final defeat by Cilic

became the first British boy to reach the semi-finals of a grand slam for nearly five years yesterday with victory over Rinky Hijikata at the Australian Open. The Glasgow-born star has been mentored by Andy Murray.

Kyle Edmund has the Grand Slam bug and is determined his taste of the big time will not be his last.

The 23-year-old’s stunning run at the Australian Open ended with a 6-2 7-6 (7/4) 6-2 loss to sixth seed Marin Cilic in the semi-finals, but Edmund will leave Melbourne with nothing but positive memories and encouragement.

He said: “Obviously I’m disappointed I lost but it’s been a really good couple of weeks for me. I got the experience of going deep in a Slam for the first time and all the stuff that comes with it. Playing a couple of matches on Rod Laver.

“I can be very happy with the way I’ve gone about things. I’ve played a lot of tough matches. Won some tough matches. Beat good players.

“There’s nothing better than winning best-of-five-set matches in tennis tournaments. Best-of-five sets should always stay in the men’s game. It’s a true test of quality and grit and stuff. It’s a battle.

“This type of tournament just gives you the bug to want more. Once you get a taste it’s like, ‘yeah, I want more of this’.”

Edmund’s big weapon, his forehand, was no secret but, under new coach Fredrik Rosengren, he has improved his serve and added mental strength.

The package has been hugely impressive and, as well as his £500,000 in prize money, he will leave Australia as a top-30 player for the first time and with the belief he can push on towards the very top of the game.

He said: “Reaching the fourth round of the US Open a few years ago I beat quality players there, (Richard) Gasquet and John (Isner). I know I can beat those players. It’s just obviously doing it a bit more consistently.

“What the ranking represents is how consistent players are. So that’s the goal.”

Cilic, who has experience of winning a Grand Slam at the US Open in 2014, was always going to be a very tough challenge but Edmund looked weary in mind and body and was unable to play at his best.

His only two break points came in the very first game of the match, and he took an off-court medical time-out at the end of the first set. He did not want to specify what the injury is but it is believed to be a hip problem.

“There’s something, but whatever,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, it happens. Tonight I was below my standard and wish I could have played a lot better.”

Edmund must now be considered a major doubt for Britain’s Davis Cup firstround tie against Spain in Marbella next week, particularly given the tie is on clay.

The 23-year-old will fly back to London today.

He said: “I’ll do everything I can to play, because I want to play. I want to be there with the team. But there is no point going on court if I’m not ready.”

Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said the Australian Open semifinals are just the start for Edmund.

Smith has helped nurture Edmund’s talent over a number of years and was in his box for all the matches of his sensational run at Melbourne Park.

Many pundits are tipping Edmund as a future top-10 or top-five player and a potential Grand Slam champion.

Smith sees no reason why that cannot be the case, saying: “He’s got such a big game, he’s 23, he’s getting better.

“His best tennis is obviously still to come.”

Cilic will play either Roger Federer or Chung Hyeon in his first Australian Open final on Sunday.

Meanwhile, beaten quarter-finalist Tennys Sandgren of the US has apologised for writing on Twitter that a visit to a gay club had “left his eyes bleeding”.

“This type of tournament just gives you the bug to want more. KYLE EDMUND