US Open 2016: Kyle Edmund thrashes 13th seed Richard Gasquet
| US Open |
|---|
| Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York Dates: 29 August-11 September |
| Coverage: Live radio commentary on Radio 5 live sports extra plus live text coverage on the big matches on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Kyle Edmund powered past 13th seed Richard Gasquet to claim the best win of his career and reach the second round of the US Open.
Edmund, ranked 84th, beat the former semi-finalist 6-2 6-2 6-3 on a hot afternoon at Flushing Meadows.
The Briton, 21, will face Lukas Lacko or Ernesto Escobedo in round two.
British number one Johanna Konta plays American Bethanie Mattek-Sands later on Monday, with Andy Murray among six Britons in singles action on Tuesday.
I played better than I expected – Edmund
Edmund bullied former semi-finalist Gasquet with his huge forehand on his way to a two-set lead, as the Frenchman struggled in 32C heat on court five.
There was a glimmer of hope for Gasquet when he broke serve first in the third set but a brilliant running pass sparked a five-game run that took Edmund over the finish line.
“I played really well, went about my process and didn’t really worry about who I was playing,” Edmund told Eurosport. “I probably played better than I expected today.
“I always know in best-of-five sets there’s up and downs and I was obviously riding a high until I got broken in the third set.
“When I broke him at 3-2, I thought I’d really push it home and take it to him.”
Analysis
Leon Smith, GB Davis Cup captain, on 5 live sports extra: “The one thing Kyle’s improved hugely, even since the Olympics, is how he’s managed his forehand. Often he’s tried to hit it harder and harder, but today he hit it with different heights, spins and then injected pace.
“When he’s not playing well he tends to rush, get uptight and try to finish the points too quickly, but today he played with a lot of maturity.
“He played some great volleys and hit one hell of a passing shot to break back in the third set. It’s looking good for him.”