Kyle Edmund has knocked out eighth seed Gilles Simon 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, in the first round of the Aegon Championships.
Opening up Wednesday’s proceedings on Centre Court, Edmund provided the home crowd with something to cheer about after an impressive opening set performance. Demonstrating a sequence of speedy backhand and forehand winners, the 21-year-old broke twice in the set to lead 5-4. Serving the set out proved to be an easy task for the Brit after a smash at the net rewarded him with a duo of set points before he clinched the one-set lead with a deep backhand slice.
The early promise shown by Edmund was soon quashed by eight seeded Simon, who capitalised on a series of unforced errors from the Brit. An error-stricken service game from Edmund revived Simon’s chances in the match as he broke with ease for 4-2. Suddenly the array of winners from the Brit disappeared as the more experienced Simon took control of proceedings, forcing a deciding set following another error from his rival.
Keeping in line with the first two days of action, proceedings were once again halted due to the rain. As the rain started to fall Simon had a triple chance to break and lead the match for the first time, but he was denied by the gutsy South African-born Brit. Simon’s failure to take advantage proved fatal to his match hopes as both men returned from the rain delay.
The minor delay did wonders to Edmund’s mentality, but destroyed Simon’s. Reproducing his play similar to the first set, Edmund hit two consecutive deep returned shots to reward him with the break for 3-1. The momentum change was as dramatic as the blustery conditions in London. Edmund’s surge continued with a cross court winner resulting in a double break before he sealed the victory with his 27th winner of the match.
Huge win for @kyle8edmund on home soil over No.8 seed #Simon #AegonChampionships https://t.co/kRsZ9udpkC pic.twitter.com/qLMIVkV5OB
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) 15 June 2016
The win is a significant milestone for Edmund, who had a win-loss record of 1-7 on the grass going into the match.
“It was the first time I have played on this court. The home support I really like. You never get to experience it throughout the year and it is great to come home and have it in your corner,” Edmund told BBC Sport.
“I thought I had a mental lapse in the back end of the second set but I really got my game on court in the third set.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a positive start to the season. This year he has won two Challenger titles, reach his first quarter-final on the ATP Tour and won his first Masters main draw match in Miami.
In the second round Edmund will play either compatriot Dan Evans or France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu.
