Yorkshire’s Kyle Edmund
By Dec Campbell
As Great Britain gets its Davis Cup campaign rolling against Canada this weekend, Yorkshire tennis fans will have a particular interest.
Kyle Edmund, who was raised in Beverley, will face Vasek Pospisil, with Dan Evans taking on 17-year-old Denis Shapovalov. The doubles match will be contested between Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot taking on Daniel Nestor and Pospisil.
The Beverley & East Riding Lawn Tennis Club are eagerly anticipating the clash, as Edmund is an honorary member at the club and a regular visitor. Local tennis fans will be counting on their hometown hero to deliver on the big stage.
Edmund goes into his match as world number 47 and will be looking for a good result in Canada to continue his rise up the world rankings.
David Beckett, honorary secretary at the tennis club, described Edmund’s contribution to the community: “Whenever he comes down, the looks on the faces of the kids are priceless, he’s a big inspiration around here and is a real draw to tennis in this area”.
Both countries will be without their respective numbers ones in Andy Murray and Milos Raonic. Andy Murray will sit out the first round after a gruelling year in which he climbed to world No 1. Raonic however misses out due to an injury from the Australian Open.
The Davis Cup promises to be one of the most exciting for years, with the younger generation taking centre stage and Edmund looks ready to step into the spotlight in Andy Murray’s absence.