Kyle Edmund has booked Great Britain a place in the semifinals of the Davis Cup with a comprehensive 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(5), win over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.
Going into the final day, Great Britain was leading the tie 2-1 after their victory in the doubles match on Saturday. Doubles specialists Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot defeated Filip Krajinovic and Nenad Zimonjic 6-1 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-4, to grab the critical lead.
The British world No.67 dominated proceedings throughout the majority of the match as he faced just one break point during the first two sets of the match. Edmund was on course to seal the win with ease after leading 6-3, 6-4, 5-3, before Lajovic staged some late resistance. The Serbian had two set point chances to force the match into a fourth set before Edmund battled back to force a crucial tiebreaker.
Nerves were visible for both players during the tiebreaker with an early trade of breaks of service. Edmund grabbed his first match point after a Lajovic backhand went out. Claiming five out of the last six points of the match, the 21-year-old sealed the milestone win after another error from his Serbian opponent.
“The fact I managed to put two good performances together in the tie, I’m really happy with it.” Edmund said about his performance.
“I thought my level these past three days was good so I’m just really happy for the team that I won.”
During Edmund’s milestone win over Lajovic, he produced two aces, 39 winners and 48 unforced errors. It is his second singles win in the tie. On Friday the South African-born Brit dismissed Janko Tipsarevic 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
Great Britain’s win in the world group is their first without the help of world No.2 Andy Murray since 1986. It is also the first time since the formation of the world group in 1981 that the country has won a world group tie without the help of their top player. Davis Cup captain Leon Smith has praised the performance of his team.
“It’s obviously great and it is a testament to the other players.” Smith said about the performance of his group.
“Everybody has been working very hard and have been for a few years.”
The defending champions will now play Argentina in September’s semifinals. Argentina booked their place in the last four after defeating Italy 3-1. Looking ahead to the last four clash, Edmund admitted that it will be a tough tie.
“It will be a tough match, Delbonis has been playing very well. Del Potro is coming back and he is a very dangerous player, a former grand slam champion.” Edmund said about his upcoming rivals.
“It will be tough, but we will enjoy this moment first.”
The semifinal encounter will be hosted at a yet to be confirmed location in Great Britain. It will be the first meeting between the two nations since 2008.
