Isner now lies in wait as Edmund’s star continues to rise at US Open
YORKSHIRE’S Kyle Edmund has reached a grand slam third round for the first time in his career after beating American wildcard Ernesto Escobedo at the US Open.
Edmund recorded a shock opening win over world No 15 Richard Gasquet on Monday and followed it up with an equally convincing 7-5 6-4 6-4 victory over Escobedo.
He will now play 20th seed John Isner, to whom he lost at the French Open in May, after he beat Belgium’s Steve Darcis.
Beverley’s Edmund has for a while appeared a rising star of British tennis but 2016 has become a breakthrough year for the 21-year-old.
Ranked 84th in the world, he led Britain to a quarter-final win over Serbia in July, in the absence of Andy Murray, and now has his best performance at a major tournament too.
The youngster is due to rise inside the top 70 on the back of this run and while there promises to be a far sterner test awaiting in round three, he will take confidence from another bold display on Court 13.
Edmund hit 54 winners, 28 off his blistering forehand, and showed greater maturity than his opponent, particularly in the crucial moments.
Escobedo started nervously, with a double fault, but soon found his rhythm as both players exchanged a break midway through the opening set.
Edmund had to save a set point when serving at 5-4 and then struck himself the next game after landing a superb backhand lob.
The Briton served out the set with ease and carried his momentum into the second, as he opened up six break points in three games.
All of them, however, were saved and it was not until 4-4 that Escobedo finally cracked, quite literally as his string pinged following a mis-hit, and Edmund pounced to break and move two sets clear.
Both players had opportunities to break early in the third but again it was Edmund who was ruthless, breaking at 4-4 and then sealing victory with a trademark forehand winner after two hours and 25 minutes.
Edmund has impressed British No 1 Murray, who himself breezed through to the second round with a 6-3 6-2 6-2 win over Lukas Rosol.
Edmund’s shock first-round victory over Gasquet impressed Murray.
“Kyle played extremely well,” he said. “I practised with him the day beforehand. He was hitting the ball good in practice. He’s improving all of the time. To win a match like that in a slam that comfortably against a top player, a guy that’s been at the top for a long time is a very good sign. It was good for him.
Murray will now face world No 45 Marcel Granollers after the Spaniard beat Argentina’s Juan Monaco in straight sets.
In the women’s draw, Britain’s Johanna Konta survived an oncourt collapse as she beat Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-2 5-7 6-2 to reach the third round.
Konta was set point down in the second set on Court 13 when she dropped to the floor, sobbing and struggling to breath, with almost 15 minutes passing before play resumed.
The British No 1 lost that set but won the match as she recovered in the decider.
She will now face Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic in round three.