Edmund, sole British male player in the field, moves on to face Denis Istomin in the second round in Melbourne
Thursday 24 May 2018 14:27, UK
Kyle Edmund maintained British hopes in the men's singles at the Australian Open with a gutsy five-set success over 11th seed Kevin Anderson to progress to the second round.
The 23-year-old, who overcame a right ankle injury sustained at the Brisbane International to take his place in the season's opening Grand Slam, twice recovered from a set deficit to record a 6-7(4) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory in Melbourne.
Edmund, prevailing in one minute shy of four hours, gained a measure of revenge over his more experienced opponent after the British No 2 fell to Anderson at last year's French Open third round and moves on to face Uzbek Denis Istomin, who progressed past Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2 6-1 5-7 7-6(3), on Wednesday.
In the absence of injured former world No 1 Andy Murray all British eyes were on Edmund and, despite previous five-set defeats in Grand Slam events, the world No 49 showed no signs of mental fatigue to secure the win.
"It's a really good result for me," Edmund said. "It was great to win at the end like that. There's so many positives. Just getting through a tough match like that.
"Also (against) a quality player. He had a good year last year, started this year really well. I'm just happy going down a set, coming back. Just overall, personal satisfaction, the hours you put in, training etc, so many things like that.
"Those type of results make it just really feel good, worth it basically."
Anderson, last year's US Open finalist, came into the encounter as the favourite and as expected serve dominated the early proceedings - the world No 12 did not face a single break point - before edging a tense tie-break.
Despite the setback, Edmund, supported by a strong British contingent, responded strongly securing the first break of the match in the sixth game of the second set before maintaining his composure on serve to level the match on court three.
The third set saw light rain interrupt proceedings, moments after Edmund had saved two break points in the eighth game, at Melbourne Park but on resumption, Anderson made no mistake with his third chance and took full advantage to serve out and move within one set of victory.
Edmund began the fourth set well to break the big-serving South African for an early two-game lead before he held from 0-40 on the following game and, despite allowing further opportunities for a break slip by, he served out to force the decider.
After a nervous beginning to the fifth set where Anderson took the initiative to lead 2-0, Edmund showed great resolve to retrieve the break of serve immediately with some aggressive tennis.
Edmund, who withstood 35 aces during the encounter, saved a break-point opportunity in the sixth game and after receiving some treatment to his right shoulder broke the wayward Anderson before he eventually secured the win with a love-service hold.
