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Novak Djokovic crashes out of Madrid Open after shock defeat to Kyle Edmund

Omnisport, Madrid | ByBy Peter Thompson
May 09, 2018 11:14 PM IST

Kyle Edmund landed another blow on Novak Djokovic by beating the former world number one for the first time in the second round of the Madrid Open.

British number one Kyle Edmund beat 12-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic in three sets to reach the third round of the Madrid Open tennis tournament.

Kyle Edmund (R) secured one of the biggest wins of his career by beating former world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Madrid Open.(REUTERS)
Kyle Edmund (R) secured one of the biggest wins of his career by beating former world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Madrid Open.(REUTERS)

Djokovic claimed a morale-boosting win over Kei Nishikori in the first round at the Caja Magica, but Edmund consigned the 10th seed to a 6-3 2-6 6-3 defeat on Wednesday.

The unseeded Edmund lost his three previous meetings with the 12-time grand slam champion without winning a set, but bossed the first and claimed the only break of the third to set up a showdown with David Goffin.

READ | Caroline Wozniacki knocked out of Madrid Open, Simona Halep strolls into quarters

Djokovic lost to Martin Klizan in the first round of the Barcelona Open and will have to go back to the drawing board again with the French Open fast approaching after he was second best to Edmund on Manolo Santana.

Edmund put away a glorious cross-court forehand winner as he broke in the first game of the match, but Djokovic hit straight back with a break to love.

The Serbian’s serve was letting him down and a double fault left him trailing 3-2, Edmund going on to break again to take the first set with an exquisite backhand winner.

READ | Serena Williams’ French Open tennis campaign in doubt after Italy Open withdrawal

It was a different story in the second, Djokovic fizzing a forehand beyond Edmund to earn three break points in the opening game and edging in front when the ball sprung up from the baseline to give the Briton little chance of returning.

Djokovic toyed with the Australian Open semi-finalist by making him scamper in with a drop-shot and followed it up with a lob, then went 5-2 up when Edmund netted a backhand.

The world number 12 served out the set, but was left frustrated when a tenacious Edmund rallied from 0-40 down to hold and take a 3-2 lead, leaving Djokovic to rue unforced errors when his opponent was up against it.

Djokovic did not lose a point in his first three service games of the final set, but a wayward forehand gave Edmund the decisive break and he served out the match to love, the two-time champion bowing out after scooping a backhand long.

Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
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