Final thoughts
Well, who would have thought there would be a British player in the Australian Open semi-finals when Andy Murray pulled out injured before the tournament started? Not many, I’d wager. But that’s exactly what we’ve got, after Kyle Edmund made light of any pressure he might have been feeling to see off the third seeded Grigor Dimitrov in four sets. What a performance from the 23-year-old. Sure, Dimitrov wasn’t on top form and his service game continues to be of concern, but that’s not to take anything away from Edmund’s performance. Rafael Nadal or Marin Cilic await. Thanks for joining me. Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s full match report:
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In his on-court interview, Edmund is as understated – and likeable – as ever. “Just held my nerve in the final game and prayed that last ball was out.”
On his newfound fame and the attention from media in the absence of Andy Murray: “You just take it in your stride and embrace it.”
Wow! @kyle8edmund
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 23, 2018
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Game, set and match: Kyle Edmund wins 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4!
Fourth set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 Edmund* (* denotes server): What a result! Edmund downs the third seed to to reach the semi-finals! With the pressure on, it looked like showing on Edmund when he double faults at 15-15. But he recover and an ace brings up match point. Dimitrov then cracks, hitting a long ball – which he challenges, unsuccessfully – and Edmund celebrates! A star is born.
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Fourth set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-5 Edmund (* denotes server): Edmund whips a forehand down the line on the first point – a statement of intent if there ever was one – before at 15-30 a HUGE line call review comes out in favour of Edmund by a matter of millimetres. Drama! Dimitrov says the first break point but on the second he hits into the net and (please excuse the caps) EDMUND WILL SERVE FOR A PLACE IN THE SEMIS!
Fourth set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-4 Edmund* (* denotes server): This isn’t easy for Edmund, by any stretch, but a big second serve on game point is enough for him to hold. Perhaps tiredness is beginning to become a factor. Still, he’s potentially just two games away from a place in the semi-finals.
Fourth set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 4-3 Edmund (* denotes server): Edmund unleashes his forehand once more to take a 30-15 lead and he looks good on his way to another break point opportunity. But the chance goes begging when he can only find the net on a return. Dimitrov goes on to seal the game with an ace – that’s some clutch tennis from the third seed.
Fourth set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 3-3 Edmund* (* denotes server): Tension! This game is a hugely important one – for both players – and it’s Dimitrov who initially takes the bull by its horns. He’s 30-0 up before he takes a tumble and Edmund eventually punishes him. Still, the Bulgarian brings up two break points and on the first one Edmund hits wide and we’re back on serve! Tremendous stuff on Rod Laver Arena!
Fourth set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-3 Edmund (* denotes server): A lovely forehand winner from Edmund puts him in the ascendancy early on this game and when Dimitrov finds the net on a pretty regulation forehand a few points later, Edmund has a chance to break! And another unforced error from the Bulgarian does Edmund’s work for him! Wow.
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Fourth set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-2 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund’s forehand comes to the, um, fore this game as the Briton holds again. He’s not showing any signs of the pressure getting to him. Yet.
Fourth set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 2-1 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov holds to love.
Here’s more on that story about Zverev:
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Fourth set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 1-1 Edmund* (* denotes server): This is getting interesting. Dimitrov needs to step up, but whether he will be able to do so very much depends on how Edmund can handle the pressure he is under now. He’s managed it OK so far, and he holds serve with ball in hand for the first time this fourth set.
Fourth set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 Edmund (* denotes server): That was clutch from Edmond at the end of the third set. Dimitrov responds immediately under pressure with a comfortable hold, but it’s up to the third seed now to step up and take this match by the scruff of its neck.
Kyle Edmund wins the third set 6-3!
Third set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-6 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund allows himself a fist-clench after a superb forehand winner down the line that levels things up at 30-all. A Dimitrov net cord then lands favourably for the Briton and a booming serve later, he has the third set in the bag! The 23-year-old is a set away from the Australian Open semi-finals!
Third set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-5 Edmund (* denotes server): Edmund gets a glimpse of an opening as he goes 30-0 up before that glimpse becomes a wide-eyed stare a point later when he brings up two break points. He finds the net on the first but on the second Dimitrov double faults to gift Edmund a crucial break as the clock ticks over the two-hour mark!
Third set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 3-4 Edmund* (* denotes server): Whatever Grigor can do, Kyle can do too – he also serves out to love
Meanwhile, some news from elsewhere: German Mischa Zverev has been fined $56,165 for his performance against Hyeon Chung in the first round. Zverev retired just 48 minutes into the match when trailing the Korean 6-2, 4-1 and cited illness, but tournament officials were apparently unimpressed by that excuse and have dished out what is a record fine for a grand slam.
Third set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 3-3 Edmund (* denotes server): A love service game for the Bulgarian third seed! He’s serving at 83% on first serve this set, a marked improvement from the opener.
Third set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 2-3 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund eases to a held service game, but just one little speedbump along the way. He closes with an ace and noses ahead once again this third set.
Third set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 2-2 Edmund (* denotes server): Edmund again shows soft hands at the net before he monsters a crosscourt forehand soon after. Two contrasting shots, both executed perfectly, and he has a break point for his efforts. But Dimitrov saves it thanks to some sterling defensive work and then he goes on to hold. Another opportunity missed for Edmund.
Third set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 1-2 Edmund* (* denotes server): Dimitrov gets the crowd on their feet as he slides to reach an Edmund dink over the net, legs nearly in a splits position, and win the point. Superb athleticism from the Bulgarian but it counts for nought this game as Edmund puts himself into a winning position and then runs around a forehand to fire a winner on game point.
Third set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3, 1-1 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov aces to seal the next game and we’re on serve this third set. You just feel the Bulgarian has a lot more in his locker that is yet to come out today. The question is whether he can find it.
Third set: Dimitrov 4-6, 6-3, 0-1 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund gets himself out of difficulty early in the third, saving a break point before holding his serve. He did well to dodge that bullet.
Grigor Dimitrov wins the second set 6-3!
Second set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 6-3 Edmund (* denotes server): The rally of the match! Some huge hitting from both players ends with Edmund pulling back to 30-30 but Dimitrov soon has set point which he takes, thanks to a big serve! He draws level at 1-1 after taking 43 minutes to secure the set.
Second set: Dimitrov 4-6, 5-3 Edmund* (* denotes server): Oof, that’s nice from Edmund to go 40-0 up – he glides into the net and with a deft touch gets the ball over. It’s not so pretty a bit later though, as he double faults for a second time this match, but no matter – he still goes on to hold, smashing at the net to secure the game.
Second set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 5-2 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov kicks off with a double fault and follows that a point later with another! A third (third!) then puts him in dire trouble but Edmund can’t capitalise on the break point. Deary me, he’s not making it easy for himself, is he? Eventually, he digs himself out of trouble to hold though. And Edmund may well be kicking himself for not taking advantage there. The Briton will now serve to stay in this set.
Second set: Dimitrov 4-6, 4-2 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund shows some lovely soft hands at the net to take a 30-15 lead and he follows that with a decent serve that Dimitrov can’t return. “Looking good, Kyle” is a shout from the crowd and largely he is. He holds.
Second set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 4-1 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov opens up a three-game lead again with a no-frills service game, and the third seed remains on course to level the match up at one-set apiece.
Second set: Dimitrov 4-6, 3-1 Edmund* (* denotes server): Dimitrov’s service game may not be firing on all cylinders, but his ground attack is. A superb return of serve at 30-30 gives him a chance to break again, but Edmund manoeuvres his opponent around the court, moves to the net and smashes to negate the threat. After a second deuce, it’s Dimitrov’s turn to force Edmund around the court. Lovely to watch, when he’s playing like that. After a total of four deuces, Edmund finally holds and he’s still in this set.
Second set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 3-0 Edmund (* denotes server): Once again, Dimitrov’s service game falters and he finds himself starring at three break points soon after the commencement of this game. But the Bulgarian shows remarkable resilience, first to pull back to deuce, and then to win the game, a forehand crosscourt winner sealing the hold.
Second set: Dimitrov 4-6, 2-0 Edmund* (* denotes server): You’ve got to like Edmund, there’s no ego in his game at all. He delays his serve after losing the ball in the sun, and is quick to say “sorry, sorry” in that most British of ways to his opponent. Anyway, that regret intensifies as he is broken in his first service game this second set. Dimitrov is fighting for everything.
Second set: Dimitrov* 4-6, 1-0 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov’s serve doesn’t let him down here. He wins it to love, an ace capping off an encouraging game for the Bulgarian.
Kyle Edmund wins the first set 6-4!
First set: Dimitrov 4-6 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund takes a one-set lead! He takes his time getting there after the first point doesn’t go to plan – he’s sluggish in recovery before he shanks a shot at the net, and that seems to set the tone for this game. He goes on to face a total of three break points – all of which are saved thanks to big serves – before he turns the tables on Dimitrov and brings up a set point. It’s wasted, but another chance soon presents itself and this time he takes it!
First set: Dimitrov* 4-5 Edmund (* denotes server): A third double fault here for Dimitrov as his serve continues to perturb. Those problems see him fall to two break points... Edmund’s forehand looks like it has sealed the deal, but it’s called out and Hawkeye later confirms that to be the case. The break does indeed soon follow though as he unleashes a booming forehand winner! And the unseeded Briton will now serve for the first set.
First set: Dimitrov 4-4 Edmund* (* denotes server): Another ace, Edmund’s fourth so far today, puts him 30-0 up and in command of this game. A fantastic Dimitrov forehand winner a point later keeps him in with a sniff, but that sniff is soon blown into a metaphorical handkerchief and when the Bulgarian is unable to return a third Edmund smash, another service game is held.
Perhaps it’s too soon to be thinking about what happens after this match, but Rafa Nadal or Marin Cilic await today’s winner. No easy games at this level etc etc.
First set: Dimitrov* 4-3 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov holds serve again to hit the front for the first time, but he could do with upping his first serve percentage up a bit – after six games, it stands at 62%. And here’s another stat for you: Dimitrov has hit just three winners, to Edmund’s eight so far.
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First set: Dimitrov 3-3 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund’s serve lets him down with a double fault on game point, allowing Dimitrov back into things at deuce. The Briton then hits one into the tramlines, and he’s facing his first break point of the match. He goes for a near identical shot, and again he’s off target! Back on serve!
Having mentioned Dimitrov’s outfit, I suppose it would be remiss of me not to analyse Edmund’s – he’s sporting the same colours (pink and black), but with a half-half shirt, diagonally split down the front.
First set: Dimitrov* 2-3 Edmund (* denotes server): This is much better from Dimitrov, much more confident serving. He stays on Edmund’s coattails this opening set with a no-nonsense game, won to love.
“I don’t usually follow the tennis, but...” writes in Alex Coe. “I was lucky enough to be in the stands for Edmund v Dimitrov in the Brisbane International and until that ankle roll Edmund was on course for a win – bigger more reliable first serve and a good hard return. Mind you it wasn’t 40 degrees that night….” He’s handled the heat OK thus far in Melbourne, mind.
First set: Dimitrov 1-3 Edmund* (* denotes server): Edmund continues to impress, confirming his break with a game that he seals with a superlative forehand that lands just in, and with Dimitrov nowhere near it.
First set: Dimitrov* 1-2 Edmund (* denotes server): Dimitrov double faults again but he regains his composure, finishing off the game with a devastating backhand winner. The third seed is on the board. Tim Henman is in the stands! It’s all about Edmania today though.
First set: Dimitrov 0-2 Edmund* (* denotes server): Jim Courier on the telly is suggesting Dimitrov might be suffering from an ankle injury. There’s no real visible sign of that though; either way, Edmund doesn’t care. He fires up his serve, pings down an ace, and holds to love. Dimitrov, in case he didn’t already believe it, has a fight on his hands today.
First set: Dimitrov* 0-1 Edmund (* denotes server): OK, here we go then! Dimitrov, in his liquorice allsort outfit, serves first up. It’s not at all plain sailing though as Edmund gets to an early break point – Dimitrov saves it – and then the Bulgarian double faults. A second break points follows and this time he’s long on a regulation forehand and Edmund breaks!
Here’s the inevitable TV interview with Edmund standing on the steps of the double decker London bus stationed on the Melbourne Park grounds because, you know, he’s British. He seems cool and composed.
“I’ve just been going one match at a time,” he says. “Every match has been a real battle for me and I’ve been able to come through some tight ones.”
The chaps are on court, with the preceding women’s quarter-final having wrapped up in double-quick time. Rising star Elise Mertens dropped just three games to see off the fourth seed, Elina Svitolina, and ensure another women’s seed is tossed the scrapheap. The draw remains wide open.
“I’m without words,” said the Belgian. “I don’t know what to say. I gave it all today. It was a little stressy at the end but I played my game today and it went well.
On Svitolina: “She’s a great mover and a really strong player. I knew it was going to be tough I tried to play aggressive and come to the net a bit more.”
Mertens plays second seed Caroline Wozniacki or Spanish veteran Carla Suarez Navarro, who meet later on tonight, in the semis on Thursday.
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Preamble
Hello and welcome once again. We’re approaching the pointy end of the tournament but as pointy as that may be, among the usual suspects there are a number of surprise names still left in the mix. Last night, a new hero was born at Melbourne Park as Korea’s Hyeon Chung downed his idol Novak Djokovic to book his place in the last eight, where he will face the equally unheralded American Tennys Sandgren, who has managed to play some incredible tennis of his own in between denying he is an alt-right sympathiser.
And then there is Kyle Edmund. The world No49, reluctantly carrying the expectations of a nation in the absence of Andy Murray this year, has been, frankly, a revelation on his way to a debut grand slam quarter-final. Having so far accounted for Kevin Anderson, Denis Istomin, Nikoloz Basilashvili and Andreas Seppi – including five-setters against Anderson and Seppi – he now faces his biggest test yet in the form of the third seed, Grigor Dimitrov.
Dimitrov, chasing his first grand slam title and arguably as well-placed to do so this year as he ever has been, has played some stupendous tennis at times this tournament, not least during his last-16 match against Nick Kyrgios. The Australian played some electric tennis himself that night, and that Dimitrov prevailed in a four-set classic speaks volumes about his current level.
It promises to be an intriguing match-up. While we wait for the players to get out onto Rod Laver Arena, feel free to drop me a line, either on email (mike.hytner@theguardian.com) or via Twitter (@mike_hytner) and let me know your thoughts on today’s encounter, this tournament or indeed tennis in general. It’s good to have you on board.
Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s the likeable Briton in typically understated mood:
