The television audience that were able to witness the tennis in the “Battle of the Brits” at the GB National Tennis Centre in Roehampton saw two superb semifinals. Both Daniel Evans and Kyle Edmund had to battle back from losing the first set of their matches. Eventually, both came through victorious in tie-breaks (each by a score of 10-8), against Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie, respectively.
All of which leads us to this final between the British #1 and #2. Both have played some excellent tennis this week, but who will emerge victorious at the end of a great week for British tennis.
Battle of the Brits Final Prediction
Daniel Evans vs Kyle Edmund
Previous Meetings: Edmund 3-0 Evans
It was quite surprising to discover the one-sided nature of the head-to-head record of this pair. They have played on three different surfaces and Edmund has won on each occasion. Evans managed to take a set on the grass of Eastbourne last time out, but this contest may rely more on recent form.
Obviously, both players have played well to get to this stage. Evans suffered a heavy first set loss to Murray in the semifinal but showed his new-found desire and focus to turn the match around. The 30-year-old was also a mini-break down to the two-time Olympic Gold medallist in the champions tie-break so there was real determination shown to win that semifinal.
Edmund found Cameron Norrie a very tough nut to crack in the semifinal. Having lost a tie-break in the first set Edmund found the only break of the match in the second set to take it to a decisive champions tie-break. The decisive moment of the match came at 8-8 in that tie-break, when Edmund crunched a beautiful backhand cross-court on a short angle to get to match point. It was an excellent shot and showed that the 25-year-old was able to execute big shots at the important times.
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see this match come down to the final set champions tie-break either. Evans will want to prove that he is the rightful British #1 and he has played the type of tennis this week that puts him in a strong position to do that. I just about give the Solihull man the edge in this battle.
Prediction: Evans in 3
Main Photo from Getty.
