Kyle Edmund expects tough encounter against Fabio Fognini at French Open

"He plays very well on this surface. He's had some really good results. He's beaten Rafael Nadal"

By Raz Mirza

Image: Kyle Edmund is flying the British flag on his own in the singles

Kyle Edmund says he expects a "very tough" last-32 clash with Italy's Fabio Fognini on Saturday after passing his latest clay-court test at the French Open.

The British No 1 made it through to the third round at Roland Garros with a four-set win over Hungarian Marton Fucsovics on Thursday.

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Edmund now heads into a last-32 clash with Italy's Fognini in a confident mood although the 23-year old 16th seed has never played Fognini, the clay-court specialist who took Andy Murray to four sets at Wimbledon last year.

"Yes, it will be a very tough match, for sure," said Edmund. "He plays very well on this surface. He's had some really good results. He's beaten Rafael Nadal.

"In terms of the match-up, I'll speak to my coach about maybe what I need to try and do.

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"It's always sort of the same thing. With me, I try to focus on getting my game out on court first, because that gives me a good chance.

"And then certain tactics or plays you look out for when you're playing the particular opponent."

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Image: Italy's Fognini lies in wait for Edmund

After Johanna Konta departed on Sunday, Heather Watson fell by the wayside on Thursday morning before Cameron Norrie's run came to an end at the hands of Lucas Pouille, it leaves Edmund as the last British player standing for the third Grand Slam running.

"It doesn't change your way of thinking or anything," said Edmund. "If you're the last or the first to go out, you're just focusing on your job at hand and getting on with it.

"It's just the way it goes. Unfortunately the nature of British tennis is there is not a whole lot.

"So at some points, people go out and you stay in, and it's been like that.

"I have probably been the first to go out of the Brits before, and someone else has been on their own."

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