FORMER WORLD NUMBER one Novak Djokovic has crashed out of the Madrid open in the second round at the hands of Britain’s Kyle Edmund on Wednesday.
The 23-year-old saved three break points in the final set to defeat the Serb in a thrilling contest lasting one hour and 42 minutes. Djokovic’s defeat comes as a shock as the British number one had never won a set in their three previous meetings.
“It was a great experience to beat Novak, he is a legend of the game,” Edmund told Sky Sports.
“It’s time to try and beat these guys and I was pleased how I managed my game.”
The two traded breaks in the opening set but it was Edmund who took control. The Briton’s 10 unforced errors in the second set allowed Djokovic back into the encounter but it would be Edmund’s day as he advances into the third round on a 6-3 2-6 6-3 score.
Djokovic is currently ranked 12th in the world heading into the French Open later this month. Edmund will meet eighth seed David Goffin in the third round after the Belgian defeated Robin Haase 7-5 6-3.
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Hopefully he gets more involved
@Shawn: Why all other comments dont want JS involved he is ireland’s greatest player
@Shawn: irelands geatest player – really???
A thug who a let a group of 30 plus men down with a selfish rant pre world cup. Sexton is an overhyped guy who flattered to deceive more often than not. It was all about him: this cost a great team progress in Rwc 2023. In my eyes nothing more than an arrogant selfish person. Great people act with substance and integrity as a constant . Thinking McBride, Gibson, O Driscoll, kyle etc – great players and gentlemen. Sexton well below this ceiling
@JJB: You’re probably wrong.
@JJB: Yes really and he is not a thug and he didnt cost us anything really bad form from u
@Fagin Strauss: Never understand the hate irish players get from so called irish fans i support all 4 irish sides no hate for anyone
This continuall genuflecting to JS is mind blowing to me. He acted as a thug before the RwC 2023 by attacking the ref at CC final. Totally selfish and reprehensible act that fed through on how refs dealt with us in the tournament (predictably so) . Now place kick mentor ! What, on how to miss the big kicks in the clutch. The reverence placed on this guy is totally overdone. Good player over the years, not denying that. A true great – I don’t think so. That mantle requires decent abd respectful behaviour as a constant. His obsession with self cost a great Irish team progression in the RwC 2033 imo.
@JJB: I agree- smacks of “jobs for the boys”. Does he have the personality to develop up and coming young out halves in particular those outside Leinster? Who knows – he should get more experience in a coaching environment – maybe cut his teeth in grass roots rugby at club level and if he wants to work his way up.
@JJB: Yeah,fair point. Why would these inexperienced players want advice from a world player of the year winner aka the best player in the world? He obviously doesn’t have a clue. “A true great”? Very clearly and obviously according to the best of the best experts. But let’s take a clown criticizing genuflecting to Sexton seriously, he is very wise. Shut the f up you simpleton.
@Fagin Strauss: such bravery behind a keyboard with this name calling. A true disciple of the great JS. Very much in his play book. An Irish captain took the door of the hinges to verbally assualt a referee in world cup year and that is ok. Decent and respectful behaviour? To me, it is thuggery that had a cost. Being a true great involves character as well as performance. On the latter, missing a simple kick in a RWC you hijacked as your tournament hardly meets the greatest status either.
Hopefully it’s a very short term involvement JS has retired and he should leave the field to those that have come after him after all every player only has a loan of the jersey
@KIERAN O’DWYER: And every coach? Not ex players, no? Can’t wait for the faeries to win the league.