Australian Open 2018: Kyle Edmund defies heat and Nikoloz Basilashvili to claim brilliant, brave victory

KYLE EDMUND claimed what Andy Murray called the "biggest win" of his career to move into the fourth round.

The brilliant Brit defied temperatures of nearly 40C and dogged opponent Nikoloz Basilashvili to produce a sensational 7-6 3-6 4-6 6-0 7-5 win after three hours 34 minutes of gripping drama.

Edmund’s first-round win over world No 12 Kevin Anderson was the best of his career in terms of the opponent’s ranking.

But no less an authority than Murray thinks this was better.

Watching back in the UK in the early hours, Murray Tweeted: "Physical test passed.. Mental strength passed..I reckon that's biggest win of career! Well done kedders."

Edmund said: "it's definitely up there, for sure.

"For sure, the physical test was a great, great win for me to come through like that in a Grand Slam. Best-of-five sets in that kind of heat, really good for my career and my confidence going forward, for sure

"In the fifth set, normally in matches, you can work things out and see lines.

"During the whole of that fifth set the finish line seemed so far away. Physically at the end it was very demanding.

"It was tough out there. Like I said, it drains your energy, zaps the energy out of you. To repeat and repeat and repeat, it's tough.

"It's a professional sport. It's meant to hurt. It's not meant to be easy, that's the point of  it."

Edmund had to beat the heat as well as a tough opponent in the world No 61.

The British No 2 said: ""Towards the end the wind died down so there was no fresh air. It's not forgiving, you either get to the ball or you don't, you can't bluff it.

Edmund seemed on his way out, having lost his way badly in the second and third sets, until a simply incredible second game of the fourth.

After a 20-minute struggle featuring 15 deuces, Edmund converted his EIGHTH break point and went on to force a decider.

Edmund raised his arms in weary triumph but he knew there was still a long way to go.

Basilashvili was far from done, and both men had chances to make the first break in the tense shootout.

But when the Georgian double-faulted to offer up the first match point, Edmund won it when his opponent netted a backhand.

Edmund was fighting adversity from the start. He lost his serve in the opening game and then needed treatment on his back after the third.

But the Brit recovered well, working his way through an untidy set to a tiebreak which he won 7-0.

When Edmund broke the Basilashvili serve at the start of the second, he seemed to be cruising into  the fourth round.

Then, whether because of injury, the heat or his opponent’s improvement – or a combination of the three – Edmund lost seven games in a row from 3-1 up.

He pulled back Basilashvili’s early break in the third set, only to drop his own again immediately in the seventh game.

The Brit had served very well in his first two matches but that weapon, and his usually deadly forehand, were not functioning properly.

Conditions were difficult, with a gusting breeze adding to the trial of the heat, but Basilashvili was suddenly the player coping better.

Edmund, to his credit, kept on fighting and creating opportunities but he was far less efficient than the Georgian at taking his chances.

And just when it seemed likely to cost him, the match turned again on that extraordinary game.

The Brit saw SEVEN break points come and go, but he took the eighth to move ahead. Edmund claimed the fourth set 6-0 as his opponent conserved energy for the decider to come.

Serving first is normally an advantage in such tense circumstances.

Edmund was doing the business at his end but when he brought up two break points in the sixth game, he could not convert them.

Basilashvili had a chance in the ninth, but the Brit closed it out.

The Georgian had been prone to double faults throughout the match and it cost him dear in the end.

His 17th brought up the first match point and his backhand into the net gave Edmund the win.

The Brit said: ""When he hit that ball in the net, I was so relieved, because he just kept slugging it and it kept going in. Finally he missed it."

Edmund barely had the energy to celebrate his victory, but his next opponent will have to be made of stern stuff to beat him.