No British famous five at Wimbledon as Kyle Edmund loses out Gael Monfils

KYLE EDMUND'S dream of reaching the third round at Wimbledon was dashed by Gael Monfils on Centre Court.
Kyle Edmund during his match against Gael Monfils on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PAKyle Edmund during his match against Gael Monfils on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PA
Kyle Edmund during his match against Gael Monfils on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PA

The British No 2 had hoped to join compatriots Andy Murray, Johanna Konta, Heather Watson and Aljaz Bedene to make it a famous five in the last 32 for the first time in 20 years.

But Yorkshireman Edmund, 22, ran into extrovert 15th seed Monfils, who used his full range of power and finesse to send the world number 50 packing 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 6-4.

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Edmund will look back on a missed opportunity to secure only his second win at the All England Club.

Gael Monfils on his way to victory against Kyle Edmund on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PAGael Monfils on his way to victory against Kyle Edmund on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PA
Gael Monfils on his way to victory against Kyle Edmund on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PA

He dominated much of the first set while Monfils moped around the baseline fiddling with what appeared to be an ankle problem - the Frenchman is rather renowned for his injury niggles.

The home hope did not drop a point in his opening two service games and forced seven deuces, and two break points, against the Monfils serve at 4-4.

But having failed to secure the break, Edmund capitulated in a one-sided tie-break thanks to a catalogue of unforced errors.

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Breaks had already been shared in the second set when Edmund’s levels dropped at precisely the wrong time.

Gael Monfils on his way to victory against Kyle Edmund on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PAGael Monfils on his way to victory against Kyle Edmund on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PA
Gael Monfils on his way to victory against Kyle Edmund on Centre Court. Picture: Steven Paston/PA

A limp service game handed Monfils the initiative which he did not let go of, brutally serving out the set in barely 30 seconds.

When Monfils netted an attempted slam dunk Edmund secured an early break in the third, but at 3-0 up the wheels came off again.

Monfils, his apparent ankle issue now remarkably forgotten about, raced away with the next five games and soon served out to end Edmund’s Wimbledon bid.