Fantastic performance from Kyle. With family from Hull, I am probably a little biased, but he is going to be so exciting for British tennis over the next few years. Hopefully with a continued resurgence from the ladies side over the next few years.

Spectator wrote:

---

Only surprise there was Coric/Sock (but then the first day's surprise had been Sock/Cilic, so ....) The Bryans are no longer what they once were, and when Croatia subbed in Cilic, the doubles became a risk. Isner has an 0-5 record against Cilic ...

On a more GB note. Hurrah, hurrah, and hurrah again for the team. And especially for Kyle Edmund - what a performance. Amazing.

I hope you don't mind this, BiS, but I can't ever really think of Kyle Edmund without thinking of your early enthusiasm for him. And so I went back and read your first posts ... which seemed so prescient as to be worth quoting. How are you on the stock market? Currency exchanges?

Cartagena, Week 9 (2012): "If I had to some up what I saw of Kyle's game last week, I could do it in 2 words. "AWESOME POWER". Go Kyle. He is definitely one to watch"

Murcia, Week 8 (2013): "I had the pleasure of chatting with Kyle (and ... his coach) for an hour or so as we waited for his match. He strikes me as a very mature young man. The phrase "old head on young shoulders" was never more appropriate. And I think this is one of his strongest assets as he doesn't let adversity get to him during a match and seems to play his best tennis during those pressure moments. He spoke very sensibly about his progress, his motive for sticking where possible to clay courts ... Exactly a year ago, I first saw Kyle play. It was on the same court, as an unranked "kid" against Mark Vervoort in the qualies here in Murcia. He won 6-0 6-4 that day. So convincing was he, that I made my first ever post on this forum in order to state that Kyle Edmund was "one to watch". One year later, I stand by that statement."

So glad you were right!

---

Thanks Spectator.  Happy memories of following Kyle during those two weeks from Murcia to Cartagena.  It was also where I "cut my teeth" as a roving reporter LOL.

Kyle seems to really relish the DC environment, that's now two above par performances he's put in at DC ( Belgium and here ).Never seen him strike his fearhand as well as that. His double handed BH was also at another level. I think the only concern I still have, is how much did he still have in the tank, if he'd lost that 3rd set. I really thought the cramp issues were behind him. Then again if you connect with the FH with as much power as he did here, then there's not going to be as much gas in the tank, than if you play a Simon style of tennis. Clay is looking increasingly likes it's going to be his best surface. As to how high up the rankings he can go, I still stick to my top 20 predictions for now, but that could change ! And when you're dealing with a guy who works so hard at his trade, his upside is not limited.

-- Edited by philwrig on Monday 18th of July 2016 04:14:54 PM

The fearhand is at its most ferocious on slow/wet clay courts. I see him becoming the skid solo of the clay court tennis world!

Highlight for me of the doubles was the let given against the Serbian crowd, there is being loud at the appropriate time, I am all for an intimidating atmosphere, and then there is cheating. The out call from Kyles second game also deserved a let. The officials have to be tough and consistent when crowd behaviour deliberately and directly influences the outcome of a shot. If not wants next lasers in the eyes, it's happened in the premier league.

Stircrazy wrote:

---

Letter in the sports section of today's Times:

Rory McIroy [sic] said he had no responsibility for growing [ - I despise this new use for the verb "to grow".  Which fertiliser do the powers that be use? ] the game of golf and during the Olympic Games will watch 'athletics and diving'.  This [sic] sounds selfish and ungrateful to a profession which has made him very wealthy.  In Belgrade on Sunday we saw Kyle Edmund leading Great Britain to an [ hallelujah! ] historic away win in the Davis Cup.  On the sidelines was Andy Murray, the Wimbledon champion, standing side by side with his team.  Considered, respectful, selfless and pure class. Jimmy Armstrong, Balleter (been through there once or twice.  It's not far from Aberdeen]

The grammar leaves something to be desired, but the sentiment cannot be faulted. 

---

Couldn't agree more. To be honest I think McIlroy has become something of a jerk in the last few years. Too much too young maybe, but if he didn't think Olympic golf was important he shouldn't have supported it in the first place, particularly when the likes of squash would give anything to be a part of the games...

I am with you on that one SC. And I think the number of withdrawals by top players in both sports, suggests that many of them feel the same way too. Zika is nothing more than a convenient excuse for many of them.

indiana wrote:

---

To be fair McIroy has rather revised his reasoning from Zika to essentially he couldn't care a stuff ( he really wasn't far off saying that ).

At least honest, but he really has mucked around on this whole thing ever since him taking his while before announcing who from GB or Ireland was going to have the pleasure of him ( ultimately not ) in their side.

---

Agreed. My Zika comment wasn't particularly aimed at McIlroy who (as you said) basically let the cat out with regard to his real feelings about the Olympics.  But plenty of others have used Zika.

Interestingly, there is no interest whatsoever here in the Olympics (Yes.  I am in Brazil at the moment).  My colleague was here with me for 3 days and needed to take home some Olympic memorabilia for his grandson.  After three hours searching the shopping centres and beach souvenir shops, we gave up.  We finally found a badge at the airport as he left.  Admittedly we are a three hour flight from Rio, but the lack of interest is staggering.

-- Edited by Bob in Spain on Sunday 24th of July 2016 06:22:41 PM