Kyle Edmund reminded the tennis world why he is British number one as he beat Australian teenager Alex de Minaur in straight sets to reach the second round of the French Open.
A professional, if not restrained performance from the 22-year-old saw him win 6-2 6-4 6-3 at Roland Garros against his 19-year-old opponent.
He had already beaten him earlier this month at the Estoril Open, but today’s win was far more measured – and important. "Throughout the match, my concentration was generally very good. "It’s something that doesn’t come overnight and he’s the sort of opponent who is really up for the battle if he gets a sniff.”
“I played well, with intent,” said Edmund.
“I knew the game style – me dictating the points, him making a lot of balls, forcing me to come up with the answers.
"I gave up too many points with errors in the second set and double faults but in the third set, I got it back.
“Conditions were a little heavier at the start but when the sun came out at the end, the ball was pinging off the court a bit more.
The victory sets up a second round match against Hungary’s world number 45 and Geneva champion Marton Fucsovics, who he will play on Thursday.
Edmund, who is seeded 16
, breezed through the opening set in 29 minutes, breaking De Minaur’s twice to take the lead.
His dominant forehand was no match for the Australia, whose frustration grew as he struggled to contain Edmund even after breaking serve.
Edmund broke again in the opening game of the third set – making it five out of ten service games De Minaur was broken – seeing off the match in clinical fashion in just one hour 56 minutes.
De Minaur is considered a rising star on the Australian tennis circuit, having reached the Sydney International final back in January.
But Edmund, who became British number one in March, overtaking the injured Andy Murray, proved his superior prowess on this occasion, perhaps conserving his energy for the rest of the tournament.
Meanwhile, British brothers Ken and Neal Skupski saw off the challenge of Mike Bryan and Sam Querry, who were seeded 16th, winning 7-5 6-4. But compatriot Dom Inglot, with his Croatian doubles partner Franko Skugor, did not fare so well, losing 6-4 6-3 to eighth seeds Nikola Mektic and Alexander Peya, also of Croatia.
Sportsbeat 2018