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Injury forced Kyle Edmund out of his match against Nick Kyrgios at the French Open

Kyle Edmund plays a forehand in his first round match against Steve Johnson during day two of the 2015 Australian Open
Image: Kyle Edmund: The Briton has risen 163 spots in less than 12 months

Yorkshire teenager Kyle Edmund is highly-regarded in British tennis circles and has all the potential to follow in the footsteps of current No 1 Andy Murray.

The 20-year-old is edging closer towards the top 100 on the ATP Tour after a promising opening to 2015 with his first Challenger Tour title in Hong Kong followed by two semi-final appearances in Irving, Texas and Le Gosier, Guadeloupe.

This week Johannesburg-born Edmund ensured there will be two Britons in the second round of the men's French Open draw after coming through an almighty tussle with Frenchman Stephane Robert at the French Open.

Edmund, playing an opponent 15 years his senior and 429 places below him in the world rankings, recovered from a shaky start to win 2-6 6-4 6-3 5-7 6-2 and join third seed Murray in the next round - although he was forced to withdraw from his match against another star of the future next - Australian 29th-seed Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal muscle lesion.

The youngster was a surprise call-up to captain Leon Smith's Davis Cup team for their clash against the USA last February and has shown the right attitude and desire which can potentially take him to the highest level.

Smith was so impressed with the youngster, he opted to take him to San Diego and drop seasoned professional Dan Evans for the last-16 tie which was played on clay. "Kyle has shown real flashes of potential in the last eighteen months and has shown that he can play on clay," said Smith. "I think he can really push on this year."

Edmund has already risen 163 spots from world No 284 to 121 in less than 12 months showing exemplary attitude and work ethic and is now odds on to break into the top 100 after Roland Garros.

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Great future

Kyle Edmund celebrates his first-round win at the French Open

Sky Sports tennis expert Mark Petchey has said that he can go on to achieve great things in the future. "The millstone around his neck - which will stay around his neck for the next few years - will be the presence of Andy Murray.

"I hope for his sake that he is able to get somewhere near Andy but it will be difficult for him and other British players of his ilk because they will always be compared to Murray.

"He has to deal with that and shut it out but over the last two or three years, he has become someone tennis aficionados think can make something out of his career. The next 18 months, two years, will be crucial but if hard work pays off he'll do alright."

I hope for his sake that he is able to get somewhere near Andy but it will be difficult for him and other British players of his ilk because they will always be compared to Murray.
Mark Petchey

Edmund parted company with Greg Rusedski as his head coach after less than six months last October following a succession of first-round defeats.

LTA chief executive Michael Downey said: "Kyle wanted Greg and Greg wanted an opportunity. I'll wear this one. But we are optimistic of where Kyle is heading."

He is currently being mentored by James Trotman and it seems as though the pair have found a formula after making an impact at Roland Garros. The future is looking bright for Britain's newest tennis sensation.

Nick Kyrgios is one of our five players who have the potential to cause an upset or two at this year's French Open.

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