Briton Kyle Edmund achieves breakthrough win in Hong Kong
Confidence booster achieved in ATP Challenger event
Briton Kyle Edmund was unfazed by protesters shouting for democracy in Causeway Bay on Sunday as he crushed Japan's Tatsuma Ito to win the Hong Kong ATP Challenger final at Victoria Park.
Ito has a world ranking of 89 and is more than 100 places above the Briton, but Edmund was relentless in a one-sided match on centre court, clinching a 6-1, 6-2 victory in 55 minutes and securing the first such event in the city since 1999.
"He is very experienced and I knew I had to take it to him and play my own game. Luckily, this was the best I played all week and it was ideal that it came in the final," said the 20-year-old Edmund, who was thrilled at winning his first ATP Challenger event.
Luckily, this was the best I played all week and it was ideal that it came in the final
The Hong Kong Tennis Association is determined to host it again next year.
"I believe we will carry on next year at the same time," said tournament director Phillip King. "We had a very good field because we held it in the second week of the Australian Open, resulting in a lot of good players stopping over here on their way back home."
Edmund is a good example. He arrived from playing in the first round at the Australian Open, and will now return Down Under to play two more Challenger events as he tries to rise up the rankings.
Born in Johannesburg, but raised in Yorkshire, Edmund is armed with a booming serve and it functioned well.