Australian Open: Kyle Edmund on new ground against Grigor Dimitrov

Kyle Edmund plays his first grand slam quarter-final today, taking on Grigor Dimitrov.

Britain’s Kyle Edmund finds a reminder of home at Melbourne Park yesterday. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

Grigor Dimitrov thrived on the intensity in a combustible thriller against Nick Kyrgios on Sunday night but his quarter-final opponent today has a temperament stark in contrast to the Australian.

Kyle Edmund’s progression to the elite level matches his personality on and off court. He is the ice on court to Kyrgios’ fire.

The 23-year-old Briton has significant firepower, particularly off the forehand side, and is measured and assured when it comes to tennis. It is something Edmund, who was born in South Africa, traces back to his first lesson.

“They weren’t overly strict but they wanted me to grow up the right way and do things ethically right,” he said.

“One of the reasons no one ever sees me throw a racquet is that in my first ever tennis lesson, they said to me ‘If you throw your racquet, that is it. You’ll never play again. We’ll take you off the court straight away’.

“I knew they were not joking, so I never threw my ­racquet.

“On court, the way I act, it is how I grew up. I try not to get too flustered. I try to stay in the present as much as I can. If you want something, you have to work hard.”

Although it has taken time for Edmund to translate youthful promise to sustained success, it was always apparent he would make the transition. In part, this was due to his work ethic. And as he has matured, the right-hander has produced solid ­results.

Edmund made a breakthrough at grand slam level in 2016, reaching the fourth round of the US Open. He posted at least one win at all four majors last year and has been in strong form this month.

After reaching a quarter-final in Brisbane, where he fell to Dimitrov in three sets, Edmund defeated US Open finalist Kevin Anderson in the first round in Melbourne.

He has subsequently thrashed Denis Istomin, proved too tough for Nikoloz Basilashvili in the third round and overwhelmed Andreas Seppi after dropping a first set.

“I hadn’t played a lot of five-set matches and was a bit of a rookie … and was constantly learning,” he said. “The way I played there was really good, to beat (Richard) Gasquet in straight sets and then (John) Isner in his backyard (both at the US Open in 2016) was good for my confidence.”

For the first time at major level, Edmund has stepped from the shadow of Andy Murray, who is absent through injury, ­although he has led Britain in Davis Cup.

And it seems likely he will soon surpass the Scot as Great Britain’s top-ranked player as the dual-Wimbledon champion recovers from hip surgery.

“Of course, when you are younger, to be British No 1 is good, but I am only going to do that because he is injured,” he said.

World No 49 Edmund will bid to overcome Dimitrov’s athleticism and court craft today in his first grand slam quarter-final.

“He is very quick around the court and he makes a lot of balls,” he said. “He uses his change of speed and spins to good effect, so it will be tough.’’