Kyle Edmund, the last British player standing in a major for the third time in a row, could “get into the top 10 – in the next year, maximum, maybe less” according to John McEnroe. Admittedly that was the American’s view before Edmund survived a worrying mid-match dip and went on to overpower the in-form Hungarian Marton Fucsovics, 6-0, 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the second round on Thursdayto earn a showdown with the flamboyant Italian, Fabio Fognini, on Saturday
But the judgment largely holds true that the British No 1 is plateauing nicely at a high level, week after week, to build on his hugely encouraging start to the season, when a hip injury and Marin Cilic stopped him in the semi-final of the Australian Open.
McEnroe, commenting for Eurosport, said: “He’s got a lot fitter, a lot more confident. He’s got a great shot to get into the top 10 – in the next year, maximum, maybe less. He’s improved all parts of his game, shored up his backhand and is more prepared to move forward. Against a lot of players he’s got an edge walking on the court. You’ve got to make them feel your presence out there.”
There were moments when he lost his way – courtesy of a paper cut on a finger of his serving hand that split during his collapse in the second set, although he dismissed the distraction as trivial – but he had too much game for Hungary’s best male player, who arrived in Paris buoyed by winning in Geneva and with a career-high ranking of 45. It could be that his legs felt the burden of that success when Edmund cranked up his menacing forehand.
Asked how he might cope with Fognini, whose temperament can be as challenging as his tennis, the No 16 seed said: “I have not played him before. Probably his strongest surface is clay. It will be a very tough match, for sure. He’s had some really good results on this surface [the Italian gave up only seven games against Pablo Andujar in the first round and beat the Swedish qualifier, Elias Ymer, in under two hours on Thursday].
“He’s obviously beaten Rafa [Nadal] a few times [three times in 14 matches, twice on clay]. He knows his way on the clay court. I remember sort of watching that match in Naples [in the 2014 Davis Cup against Great Britain] when he played Andy [Murray]. He’s very good, very smart on the court. I’ll speak to my coach, probably tomorrow, about what I need to try and do.”
“I try to focus on getting my game out on court first, because that gives me a good chance – then certain tactics or plays you look out for when you’re playing a particular opponent, whoever that is.”
As for the Italian’s sometimes volatile behaviour, Edmund said: “He’s an emotional type of player. That’s just the way he is. But the tour is aware of all players and what their attitudes are like or the way they go about things. That’s the way he operates but that doesn’t necessarily make a difference in terms of your thought process. You’ve still got to go in and do your thing.”
Moments before Edmund’s win, Cameron Norrie enhanced his growing reputation with a fighting performance against the world No 16, Lucas Pouille, whose experience on clay and on this court in front of his home crowd no doubt lifted his spirits during many tight calls on his way to a 6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (3) win in two hours and 43 minutes.
Norrie, troubled by a stomach virus when the match began the previous evening, fought doggedly to extend the contest by taking the third set, and he was in contention throughout the fourth, before the chair umpire ruled he had touched the net in the course of hitting what would have been a winning shot trailing 3-5 in the tie-break.
Resigned, but happy with his performance, the 22-year-old left-hander said: “It was only one point of the match. It’s not really a big deal. But everyone makes mistakes. I may or may not have touched it, I’m not really sure.”
His own mistakes (rather than the umpire’s, presumably) dwindled after he struggled in the gloaming on Wednesday evening. Revived, he showed his true form and ability against an opponent who is in his 17th slam event.
Norrie, properly integrated into the British tennis scene since moving to London as a teenager, looks to have a temperament suited to the vagaries of his sport and allowed himself a smile when told an Argentinian radio announcer had been calling him Chuck Norris live on air. “I know he’s pretty famous. When I went to Argentina for pre-season they actually thought my name was Chuck Norris at the team I played for. It was pretty funny. And I guess it’s an honour to be compared to him.”
As one of the many jokes about the all-conquering action hero goes: “Chuck Norris is the only man to ever defeat a brick wall in a game of tennis.” Norrie came up against one here and, while he might have left a little bruised, he appeared to relish the experience.
As for his plans before Wimbledon, he said: “I’m just going to chill out for a little bit. I’ve played lots of tournaments. I think I’ve played, like, five or six weeks in a row. So a little bit of down time heading into the grass.”
Not the long grass, of course. As well as an acute tennis brain Norrie has a quiet calm under pressure that is impressive, reflected in his low-key demeanour off the court. Not unlike Edmund, in fact.
