LONDON: British No.1 Kyle Edmund has pledged to take a step-by-step approach to his Wimbledon campaign after being labelled as a ‘massive’ threat by Nick Kyrgios.
Edmund, 23, lost to Kyrgios in the second round of the Fever-Tree Championships on Thursday after being edged out in the third set. The Australian fired 32 aces during his latest clash to secure his 15th victory of the season. Edmund was bidding to reach his sixth tour quarter-final of the year. As well as only his second on the grass after Queen’s 2016.
“I think I stuck in there reasonably well throughout the match. So it was good to get a second set, just keep fighting, fighting spirit.” He reflected afterwards.
Despite the loss, conqueror Kyrgios has tipped his fellow rival for a strong run at SW19. Naming him as one of a ‘handful of players that can play on the grass.’ In the past, Wimbledon has been a tournament of disappointment for Edmund. Since his debut back in 2013, the Brit has only managed to win one out of six matches at the Grass-court major, which occurred last year.
“I think he’s really good on grass. He serves well. His backhand has improved a lot. He’s got a good forehand. He returns well.” Kyrgios said of his rival.
“I think he can do well on the grass, for sure. I was pretty impressed with his grass court tennis today (Thursday).”
Speaking about his chances, Edmund was somewhat more cautious about himself compared to the praise he received from Kyrgios. At The Queen’s Club, the world No.17 admits that he is trying to find a balance between high and realistic expectations. He has reached the third round or better at the last three grand slam tournaments, including his breakthrough run to the Australian Open semifinals in January. Where he became only the sixth British man in the Open Era to reach the last four of a major.
“All the time I try and put high expectations and also realistic expectations” He said. “It’s one of them where I want to obviously do well on the whole, but an individual match like the first round is all that matters.”
“I certainly don’t go in there saying, I want to make quarters this week. That means winning four or five matches, four matches, so you take one match at a time, so that’s pretty much how it’s going to be.”
Despite his grounded approach, the signs are encouraging. As illustrated by his journey into the world’s top 20 and his two wins over top 10 players already this season. Defeating Grigor Dimitrov in Australia and David Goffin in Madrid.
“I think I’m improving on grass. My serve is better. I’m able to hold better in the service games. And to be a good grass court player you really have to serve well and return well. And I think I’m improving as a general.” Edmund evaluated about his own game.
“This year has been good for me. Mostly I feel my game is improving on the court, so I think it helps going into the grass. It’s always a work in progress, but I feel I played reasonably well on the grass.”
Edmund will return to action next week at the Eastbourne International.
