By Jake Davies
- Kyle Edmund [3] defeats Leonardo Mayer 6-3 6-3
- Edmund vs Roberto Carballes Baena
WINSTON-SALEM, UNITED STATES – Kyle Edmund came through with a very promising win over Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer in the second round of Winston-Salem.
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Kyle Edmund [3] defeats Leonardo Mayer 6-3 6-3
It felt like a match where everything that could go right eventually did go right for the British No.1 Kyle Edmund took the quick start by breaking very early in the match and that immediately sent the statement out to Leonardo Mayer that Edmund was prepared to play at a very high level to get the job done and Edmund kept up the serving consistency and the baseline dominance that he looks for when he takes to the court.
Edmund charged through the first set by breaking for a second time at 5-3 and after a two-hour rain delay he returned to the court in the same sort of manner. Edmund executed his game plan very well overall. He was able to play with heavy spin loaded to Mayer’s one-handed backhand and he exploited the defensive deficiencies in his game with one single forehand that would change the pace of the rally in an instant.
A single break in the second game of the second set was all Edmund required as he simply held his own deal for the remainder of the match and did not face a single break point in a comfortable outing for him.
Mayer had the powerful, overbearing game to cause problems but the difference in this particular match-up was that Edmund was able to rely on an improved defensive side to his game that enables him to turn points in his favour. Edmund loves to attack and will always be that aggressive baseline, but he has made slight adjustments and improvements to his game that wasn’t there 12-18 months ago, which has helped him become a well-rounded player in doing so and that was the key in sealing this match as quickly as he did.
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Kyle Edmund [3] vs Roberto Carballes Baena H2H: Carballes Baena leads 1-0 (Futures level)
Kyle Edmund’s third round opponent can be a bit of a tough nut to crack and has been playing his best tour-level tennis of his career after claiming a first ATP title in Quito on the red clay earlier this year. Roberto Carballes Baena is someone who predominantly plays not to miss and prides himself on his consistency from the back of the court. He perhaps has the edge in terms of defensive capabilities in comparison to Edmund, but this will be a good test for Edmund in a match where there will be much longer rallies than the average match on tour.
The dangerous aspect of Carballes Baena’s game is that despite providing great court coverage from the baseline he has the power and the intent in the forehand side to produce winners off that side. For Edmund it is simply about staying away from the forehand and try to force the Spaniard to play a lot of his tennis camped out in the backhand corner, which will allow Edmund to then move into the open space and dictate his points from there. A win over the Spaniard would be another very good step in the right direction for Edmund in his quest for some serious match-wins before the US Open.
Prediction: Edmund in three sets
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