The young guns are certainly presenting themselves in a niche fashion in the ATP World Tour lately and it’s not just Nick Kyrgios we’re talking about. Another youngster in the form of Kyle Edmund stole the spotlight at the French Open yesterday.
Ranked no.121 in the world, which also coincides his career high, Edmund stunned the French crowd yesterday in his Paris debut when he took on his fellow opponent Stephane Robert in a hearty match.
Robert, a French veteran and the country’s favorite, was completely oust by the 20 year-old after five compact sets in under three hours.
Edmund, 15 years Robert’s junior, was defeated in the first set 2-6. The result was predictable to most people but not many seen what was coming in the second set when the Briton clinched a 6-4 victory. The Frenchman’s entourage was silenced when Edmund secured another win in the third set 6-3.
Things were more intense in the fourth set when it ventured to 12 games, with Robert claiming the win with 5-7 to set a tie. Edmund proved his presence dominant when he conquered the deciding set 6-2, astonishing the fans in the Court Philippe Chartier.
Fellow senior and UK top seed Andy Murray was seen voicing out support from the stands.
“It feels so good, at 2-2 I knew I had to give it my all – this is what all the training is for, moments like this,” said Edmund after the match
“I started cramping and my arms were in agony and I was wondering how I was going to play, I’m just so pleased to get through.
“It’s daunting having the crowd against you, they are passionate about their players but you want to experience matches like this, coming to a guy’s backyard and beating him.”
“At two sets all I just thought is what you get up for in the morning, don’t have any regrets,” he added.
“A lot of the cramp was emotion and the nervous energy, I was very relieved to get through that last game. I knew I had the game to beat him but that’s one thing and doing it is another. The crowd was almost like having another player against you but I expected it.”
The second round match is said to be a spectacular one as Edmund will be facing Australian Nick Kyrgios, who is of the same age as he is, albeit ranked much higher.
Photo credits: Sky Sports
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