Kyle Edmund finally has 'the monkey off his back' - in the shape of maiden ATP World Tour title. The world number 15 recovered from losing the first set to beat Gael Monfils 3-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-4) and lift the European Open trophy in Antwerp, Belgium. Edmund, 23, reached the semi-final of the Australian Open earlier this year but couldn't hold back the tears as he celebrated his first-ever senior victory. 'I'm just very obviously happy," said Edmund. "A lot of hard work goes into this. It's just emotion and hugely special. "You'll always remember this one. "It will help a lot just to get that monkey off my back. It’s great I’ve been able to have this experience and come through. "It gives you so much belief and confidence for the next time it happens." The Beverley-born ace came agonisingly close to his first title in April when he lost to world number 355 Pablo Andujar at the Grand Prix Hassan in Marrakech. Edmund, who sailed through to the final in Belgium without dropping a set, had to weather an early storm with Monfils in uncompromising mood on his own serve. But he pulled through to become the first Brit to win an ATP Tour title, aside from Andy Murray, since 2005. Edmund was over the moon to finally get over the line against, by his own acknowledgement, a tough opponent. "It’s only my second final and I’ve not been able to string together my matches to win tournaments," he said. "There’s always been something to let me down so it's been one of my goals to be more consistent.
"Gael made me work for it and credit to him, but I'm so happy. "It’s not just me who puts in the work, there’s guys behind the scenes. It’s really nice when something you’ve been working for comes together." Sportsbeat 2018