"I lost a lot of close ones last year. I wanted to do better this year, especially against those top guys"
Thursday 24 May 2018 14:26, UK
Britain's Kyle Edmund said his epic Australian Open first-round win over Kevin Anderson was all down to the "hours" and "training" he has put in.
Edmund pulled off the best victory of his career against US Open finalist Anderson on the opening day of action at Melbourne Park.
Seven months after losing to Anderson in five sets in the third round of the French Open, Edmund recovered from two sets to one down to win 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4 after three hours and 59 minutes of action.
The 23-year-old said: "It's a really good result for me. It was great to win at the end like that. There's so many positives. Just getting through a tough match like that. Also 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."
Edmund took great satisfaction from the progress he has made since their clash at Roland Garros, with the world No 49 saying it has been a yardstick to his continued improvement.
He said: "I've been open about it. I lost a lot of close ones last year. I wanted to do better this year, especially against those top guys.
"It's a good measure eight months on that I'm beating him in five now. I was a break down in the fifth, so it's good that I'm taking stuff on board and learning from my experiences to turn those results around."
As for Edmund's pink and black Nike kit, the 23-year-old is not convinced.
"Obviously it worked," he said. "I don't think pink really suits me. I think if you have a better tan, it would suit you."
Edmund next faces Uzbek world No 60 Denis Istomin, who defeated Novak Djokovic in the second round 12 months ago. The pair have never met before.