Edmund survives Marchenko test and sets up Ferrer match

 

http://gty.im/614087480

By Jake Davies

  • Kyle Edmund defeats Illya Marchenko 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5)
  • Edmund’s next opponent is No.2 seed David Ferrer
ANTWERP, BELGIUM – Kyle Edmund looks to finish his season with a flourish with a winning start at the European Open.

 

CLICK TO BUY TENNIS TICKETS


Kyle Edmund defeats Illya Marchenko 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5)

British rising star and promising talent Edmund came through a tough challenge in the first round of the new tournament in Antwerp as he beat Ukrainian Marchenko in two tiebreak sets. Edmund recovered from a break deficit in both sets and successfully turned the match around, which says a lot about the improved confidence and security of mind that Edmund possesses as he grows more experienced and accustomed to the ATP tour.

The flashy Ukrainian player served for the first set at *5-4 and the second set at *5-3, but ended up losing both the leads and subsequently both sets. It cannot be understated how important it is for young players like Edmund to come through a match like this. Sometimes it can be argued that when a player is on the brink of losing a set or a match it can aid the mental stability of a player in the long run.

This victory helps Edmund become battle-hardened for the rest of the tournament and for the remainder of the season with a Masters tournament coming up in Paris. An event where Edmund can try to improve his ranking even more before the start of the 2017 season.

Edmund outlasted Marchenko and withstood the pressure coming from the other side of the court by winning 7-6 (7) 7-6 (5)

 

Kyle Edmund vs David Ferrer [2] H2H: First meeting

Edmund faces one of the notoriously, toughest competitors on the ATP tour in the Antwerp second round as he clashes with 34-year-old Ferrer. Some may argue the case that this is the perfect time for Edmund to face a former Grand Slam finalist like Ferrer. It is fast approaching the conclusion of the 2016 season, where a lot of the top players are feeling the effects of the draining ATP schedule and where more upsets are likely to take place.

In addition to this, Ferrer is far from the same player that reached No.3 in the world in 2013. His ability to win the matches he is supposed to win has slowly faded and the hardworking Spaniard has become a beatable opponent for the lesser-ranked players. That will encourage someone like Edmund.

Ferrer, who now sits outside the Top 10 in the ATP rankings, will try to extend Edmund into long exchanges in order to break down the will of his younger opponent. Edmund has improved the physicality of his game in 2016, but Ferrer has built an impressive career on his physical preparation before and after tennis matches. Ferrer is a man who has left no stone unturned throughout his career

Edmund should give Ferrer a run for his money, but I think Ferrer will still come through.

Prediction: Ferrer in three sets.

 

CLICK TO BUY PRO TENNIS GEAR