Kyle Edmund is currently in the form of his life right now. Last year, he entered Roland Garros as the world #49. This time, he enters the French capital as the world #17, with a Grand Slam semifinal under his belt. Can Kyle Edmund repeat his Melbourne heroics here in Paris?
Edmund Has Done it Before
Kyle Edmund magnificently made the Australian Open semifinals back in January in what was a breakthrough tournament for the Brit. That sensational run was unexpected (although I correctly predicted he would reach the quarterfinals). He is a formidable talent and he has already proven he can back it up with results. If you can make a Grand Slam semifinal at 23-years-old, you can reach many more.
Going deep into Grand Slam draws is a tough ask and so physically demanding, due to players playing best-of-five sets. Kyle Edmund has proved to us that he has the physicality to go far in the biggest events, even in brutal conditions. The British #1 had to endure a staggering five matches in the Australian sun where temperatures reached around 40 degrees Celsius. Edmund won all five so he clearly has what it takes and that is credit to how hard he works off the court.
Most Big Names Are in the Other Half of the Draw
The Roland Garros draw has been rather favourable to Kyle Edmund and there is a massive opportunity for him. Players like Zverev, Thiem, Djokovic, Wawrinka and Nishikori have all been placed on the other side of the draw. Of course the overwhelming favourite, Rafael Nadal, is in his half but the Briton cannot face the ten-time champion until the semifinals.
If you look at the players in Edmund’s quarter, you will see there is a strong argument that he is the favourite to come through it. The only seeds higher ranked than Edmund in his quarter are Del Potro, Cilic and Isner.
Many people will say that Del Potro will be the man to escape this section of the draw but there are serious question marks hanging over the Argentine as he was forced to retire from Rome. Is Del Potro fully fit? Cilic is also enjoying the most consistent tennis of his life and even defeated Edmund at the Australian Open, but clay is a different ball game and surely the Brit will back himself in that match up. Isner has a huge game but not that effective on the red dirt. Those three men are Kyle Edmund’s biggest rivals for a spot in the semifinals.
Consistent Performer
Kyle Edmund’s career has been a steady one, but always going in the right direction. He puts in the hard work everyday and reaps the rewards for it with very consistent results. The Briton’s level does not really fluctuate from week to week unlike some of his rivals: Kyrgios and Shapovalov. One week those two could be world beaters, and one week they could put in an awful performance and crash out early. You do not get this with Edmund who just keeps plucking away.
The stable level of play Edmund is able to produce is a massive tool in being able to go deep in Grand Slams as you need to be able to sustain a high level for two weeks. The Brit is becoming a reliable player who gives his very best in every match.
Will Kyle Edmund Reach the Semifinals?
Anything can happen in tennis so the answer is: we do not know. However, things are starting to fall in place for the world #17. He is playing the best tennis of his career, he has got a favourable draw and clay happens to be his best surface.
Nevertheless, Edmund has got to get past his first round match and that is where all of his focus will be right now. He has been drawn to face Australian teenager Alex de Minaur on Monday, which is quite a tough introduction to his Roland Garros campaign, but Edmund is still the firm favourite in that encounter.
After following Edmund’s career for five years I have seen the major improvements he has made to his game and mentality. He has slowly been building the blocks to his career and finally broken into the top twenty, and why stop there? I believe that Kyle Edmund will make the semifinals of Roland Garros.
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