US Open 2016: Novak Djokovic sees off Kyle Edmund in straight sets despite late fightback
Brit will climb to a career-high ranking after best showing in Grand Slam but was schooled by Serb's masterclass
KYLE EDMUND’S US OPEN adventure was stopped in its tracks by Novak Djokovic.
The world No 1 overwhelmed the young Brit for two sets and quickly nipped a mini-rebellion in the bud in the third.
Edmund was as philosophical in defeat as he had been calm following his fine wins over Richard Gasquet and John Isner.
Edmund, who will climb to a career-high ranking in the mid-50s after his best ever Grand Slam performance, said: “It was obviously a tough match.
“I came off a lot happier than I was during the match just because I got something going and started to impose myself a lot better.
“To play the world No. 1 on the biggest tennis court in the world, doesn't get much better than that.
“Obviously you don't want to go out of a tournament. That's human.
“But I'm happy with how I've been playing.”
Edmund had promised to take the game to Djokovic but after a confident hold in the opening game, he was blown away by some near flawless tennis.
The recuperation time Djokovic had enjoyed since his bizarre display in the first round, thanks to a walkover and then Mikhail Youzhny’s retirement after six games in the third round, seemed to have paid off.
The Serb was serving superbly, hitting immaculate groundstrokes, especially off the backhand, and finding moments of sheer genius when he needed them, winning 6-2 6-1 6-4.
There was little sign in the first two sets of the injury to his left wrist or the problem with his right arm as he gave Edmund a harsh lesson in just how far he still has to go to reach the very top of the game.
The Brit was trying to make his flashing forehand count but was mishitting in his eagerness or seeing his shots returned with interest by his opponent.
Djokovic took just 69 minutes to take a two-set lead, wrapping up the second with an outrageous dropshot and then a superb lob.
There was a glimmer of hope for Edmund in the third set, though, even after he had dropped serve yet again.
He finally managed to break Djokovic and the world No 1 immediately called for the trainer to perform some vigorous massage on the right arm which had troubled him in the first round against Jerzy Janowicz.
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At last not everything Djokovic tried was coming off and Edmund capitalised, breaking again to move ahead in a set for the first time since the opening game of the match.
More and more of the crowd were willing the Brit to give the reigning champion a game, but Djokovic was in no mood for fairytales.
He broke back straightaway and although Edmund battled to hold serve in the eighth game, the world No 1 was not prepared to settle for a tiebreak and broke him to love to seal the match.