Aussie Open heroics and a first title – Kyle Edmund’s year in review

Kyle Edmund’s 2018 season is over after a knee injury saw him pull out of the Paris Masters.

It has been a breakthrough year for Edmund as he has become a force on the ATP Tour and comfortably sits in the top 20.

Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at his impressive year.

Which tournaments has he won?

Edmund became the first male Briton other than Andy Murray to win an ATP Tour level title since Greg Rusedski in 2005 when he won the European Open in Antwerp earlier this month. The 23-year-old beat Gael Monfils to get his first hands on some silverware, having lost in the final of the Marrakech Open earlier this season.

How has he fared in the grand slams?

Edmund announced himself to the tennis world with a brilliant run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January, by far his best performance at a major tournament. He also reached the third round of the French Open, but went out in the first round of the US Open.

What about Wimbledon?

The Yorkshireman had only previously won one main draw game at his home grand slam prior to this year, but he made better progress in 2018, reaching the third round where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic, despite winning the first set.

Which top players has he beaten?

Edmund has claimed some big scalps across the year, none bigger than his defeat of Djokovic in Madrid. Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin were other top-10 players that he got the better of and then there was also the small matter of a first and emotional victory over a certain Andy Murray in Eastbourne.

When did he become British number one?

Murray has ruled British tennis for the best part of 15 years, but the Scot’s injury absence has allowed Edmund to take over. Edmund ended Murray’s 13-year run as British number one in March and he has stayed there since.

Why has he been so good?

There a few bigger forehands on the circuit than Edmund’s and when it is firing, he can hit even the best players off the court. In addition to that, he has also worked hard to improve his backhand – especially down the line – and he can now hit winners off both wings. His serve has also become more of a weapon, which has all added to a self-belief that might previously have been missing.

What needs to get better?

There are still areas that Edmund needs to improve if he is to get to the very top of the game. He still loses to players well below his ranking and unlike Murray, he does not yet seem to be able to grind out the wins if he is not playing well. He also perhaps lacks the defensive skills of the elite players and his touch around the net is also a weak point.