Kyle Edmund earned the biggest win of his career as he defeated Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 3-6 6-3 6-4 to move into the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
The 23-year-old, whose previous best showing at a Grand Slam was the fourth round of the US Open two years ago, served magnificently on the way to his first top-5 victory.
Dimitrov meanwhile, could not cope with the Brit’s devastating forehand and struggled on serve at key moments in the match.
The pair had faced each other twice before, including a few weeks ago in Brisbane, with Dimitrov winning both times. On both occasions though, Edmund had pushed Dimitrov the distance and this time he proved too much for the ATP Finals champion.
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Kyle Edmund breaks new ground
Kyle Edmund started the much brighter of the two, breaking in the opening game. The Bulgarian began to find his feet as the set progressed, leveling the set up with a break in Edmund’s third service game.
As the set progressed though, it was Edmund who struck once again. From outside the tramlines, he returned a Dimitrov second serve with a ferocious wrap-around forehand to retake the lead. Dimitrov had chances to break back but the Brit saved three break points before sealing the set.
After a nervous first set, Dimitrov settled into his usual rhythm early in the second. A flurry of errors from the Edmund racket gifted Dimitrov a break and he duly capitalized. Edmund had three immediate chances to break back but the World No.3 held his nerve.
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The quality of the match noticeably dropped towards the end of the second set as Edmund wayward groundstrokes meant he could not capitalize on Dimitrov’s errant serving. Eventually, though, the Bulgarian was able to capture the set, tying the match at a set-of-piece.
Both players withstood pressure from the other early on in a cat-and-mouse third set. As the clock struck the two-hour mark, the first major mistake was made. Facing a break point, Dimitrov served twice into the net to gift Edmund a chance to serve for the match. Edmund did not waste the opportunity, serving out at the first time of asking to take the third set 6-3.
Kyle Edmund holds nerve to win in four sets
Despite reaching unchartered territory, Edmund showed no signs of mental fatigue, breaking the Dimitrov serve with some penetrating groundstrokes in the fifth game of the fourth set.
The reality of the situation began to dawn on Edmund who nervously allowed Dimitrov to break back in the very next game. The match continued on serve until 4-4 when Dimitrov missed a backhand down the line by a whisker to set up two break points. Dimitrov saved one but dumped a backhand into the net to give Edmund the chance to serve for the match.
Edmund, who had been broken straight back earlier in the set, would not make the same mistake twice. This time he won his service game, claiming the match in incredible fashion.
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Can Kyle Edmund Reach the Australian Open Final?
The win marks a landmark moment for Kyle Edmund who will now move inside the top-30 in the world for the first time in his career. After teaming up with new coach Fredrik Rosengren, he has looked in imperious form during the first month of the season.
Edmund’s forehand has always been a potent weapon and is considered by many to be one of the best on Tour. The notable improvements, however, have come across the rest of his game. His backhand, once an obvious weakness, is much more stable than in the past. On top of that, Edmund is beginning to see improvements in his serve, another previous area of criticism given his 6ft2 height.
In the semi-final, Kyle Edmund will have another mammoth task on his hands as he faces either Marin Cilic or Rafael Nadal. The Brit said, before his match with Dimitrov, “I have to believe I can win it” when talking about the Australian Open title. If he keeps playing like this, then there is no reason that he can’t.
Wow! @kyle8edmund
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 23, 2018
KYLE!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG
— Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) January 23, 2018
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