British No 1 Kyle Edmund made an impressive start to his Wimbledon campaign by racing past Australian qualifier Alex Bolt in his first-round match.
Edmund did not have too many problems overcoming 25-year-old Bolt, who is ranked 204th and has never won a main-draw match at a Grand Slam.
The 23-year-old has a very modest record at Wimbledon, but he will be hoping for a deep run this year after winning through 6-2 6-3 7-5.
Edmund won the first two sets in just 52 minutes and did not lose a point on his first serve until the start of the third set when Bolt broke for the first time.
But Edmund, who is ranked 17 in the world, hit back before sealing victory in one hour and 43 minutes on Court One.
After recording only his second match at Wimbledon Edmund will be favoured to reach the third round for the first time, with either Japan’s Yuichi Sugita or Bradley Klahn of the United States up next before a likely clash with Novak Djokovic.
Edmund was pleased to wrap up the win and now hopes England could put away Colombia in the World Cup last 16 later on Tuesday.
“Everyone can get off to watch the England match tonight,” he said. “You’ve got to be positive. I’m positive for the guys today. The way they played in the group stages, it’s anyone’s tournament. All the best to England.”
The other British man in action on Tuesday was 19-year-old wild card Jay Clarke.
But the Derbyshire-born player lost on singles debut against Ernests Gulbis in a five-set marathon 4-6 6-3 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-4.
