Edmund crashes out after angry run-in with umpire
Line call in Kukushkin defeat sparks frustration First all-british final in men’s doubles since 2012
Where is VAR when you need it? British No1 Kyle Edmund exited the Nature Valley International last night nursing a sense of injustice that he had been on the wrong end of an “unbelievable” decision.
Trailing the world No90 Mikhail Kukushkin 2-0 in the deciding set of their quarter-final, Kukushkin hit a forehand at 30-30 that was called out, only for a Hawk-eye challenge to reveal it to be in.
Edmund had just about got his racket to Kukushkin’s shot but umpire Arnaud Gabas used his discretion to award Kukushkin the point, which prompted the normally mild-mannered Briton to unleash his inner John Mcenroe.
After storming to the umpire’s chair, Edmund complained that he was distracted by the out call and so the point should have been replayed. When his appeals fell on deaf ears, he angrily said: “Unbelievable... tell me what’s going on” and demanded the Association of Tennis Professionals supervisor Tom Barnes step on to the court. Barnes obliged but supported the umpire. Following more than three minutes of debate, Edmund relented before stumbling to a limp 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 defeat.
As well as the frustration of a perceived injustice, this was another opportunity missed for the fast-improving Edmund – who started the day as the highest-ranked player left in the draw – to win a first ATP title. Such has been his progress this year, it would be churlish to labour that point, but there will come a stage when the 23-year-old will have to start adding silverware to his list of accolades. Perhaps we should consider him the Tottenham Hotspur of the ATP Tour.
After his defeat, Edmund was sanguine about his outburst but bristled at the idea that his irritation was partly as a result of an errorstrewn performance. “No, I think the call was frustrating,” he said. “I really didn’t agree with it. Generally that’s not how they go by the rules. It’s frustrating at the time because it’s out of your hands.”
He was keen to point out though that the incident “didn’t decide the match, and it’s one point. You have to move on.” Edmund also said he was pleased with how he is playing on grass – a surface he has traditionally struggled on. Wednesday’s win over Andy Murray was particularly pleasing, and Edmund added: “I feel like I’m playing my best I have played on grass, so that’s a positive.”
Kukushkin faces Mischa Zverev today in the semi-finals and the winner will play Lukas Lacko or Marco Cecchinato.
Earlier yesterday, there had also been disappointment for Britain’s No2 Cameron Norrie, who lost his quarter-final 6-3, 6-4 to the bigserving Lacko.
Norrie though could reflect on an encouraging week which has seen him win more grass-court matches than in the rest of his career combined. “For sure, I think the grass is not the most natural surface for me,” he said. “But I think it’s a good challenge and I like a challenge.
“I think I can play well, and I think I have a chance over five sets in Wimbledon if I have a good attitude and play every point and compete as hard as I can. I’m very happy with the way I played this week and feel ready for Wimbledon.”
Better results for local fans came in the men’s doubles where two home pairs won their semifinals to set up an all-british final that will be played today. First, Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’mara beat Edouard Roger-vasselin and Robert Lindstedt 6-4, 6-3, before the Skupski brothers, Neal and Ken, eased past Nicholas Monroe and Ryan Harrison 6-3, 6-3. It is the first all-british men’s doubles final at an ATP event since the Eastbourne final of 2012.
In the women’s event, the defending champion Karolina Pliskova suffered a disappointing 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 defeat by Aryna Sabalenka, which could ease world No2 Caroline Wozniacki’s path to a second grass-court title, eight years on from her first – also in Eastbourne.
Wozniacki is certainly in good enough form to win the event, and she enjoyed a 6-4, 6-3 win over Australia’s Ashleigh Barty, saying: “I feel very comfortable here. I think going to the same restaurants and meeting the same people and staying in the same hotels kind of gives a sense of home.”
Wozniacki will face Angelique Kerber today, with Sabalenka taking on Agnieszka Radwanska in the other semi-final.