Kyle Edmund vs Marin Cilic LIVE: British No 2 suffers defeat to end brilliant run at semi-finals

Follow the latest from the Australian Open semi-finals

Kyle Edmund: Who is Britain's new tennis star?

Kyle Edmund will attempt to reach his first ever Grand Slam final – and become the new British No 1 in the process – when he meets Marin Cilic in Melbourne on Thursday morning with a place in the Australian Open final on the line.

The 23-year-old beat world No 3 Grigor Dimitrov to reach the last four Down Under, having already reached a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time in his career, and if Edmund can find a way to battle past Cilic and book his place in the final to face either Roger Federer or Hyeon Chung or Roger Federer, he will overtake Andy Murray in the world rankings.

But Cilic will be no walkover, having won the US Open in 2012 and reaching last year’s Wimbledon final, and the world No 6 has five years’ worth of experience more than Edmund that could prove crucial as the Briton ventures into unknown territory.

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Key Points

• Marin Cilic beats Kyle Edmund 6-2, 7-6, 6-2 to reach Australian Open final
• Cilic will face either Roger Federer or Hyeon Chung
• Women's final to see Caroline Wozniacki face Simona Halep

[25 January 2018 10:54 · Liam Corless]

Kyle Edmund's Australian Open campaign looks to be coming to an end 

[25 January 2018 10:56 · Liam Corless]

Game, set, match! Cilic def. Edmund, 6-2 7-6(4) 6-2

With the scores level at 15-15 Cilic produces an ace and a volley winner to bring up two match points... and he needs just one as he produces an unreturnable serve to move into Sunday's final!

Kyle Edmund's journey in Melbourne has been incredible and he'll have more chances to reach a Grand Slam final - that's for sure - but today he was beaten by the better player on the day.

[25 January 2018 11:06 · Liam Corless]

Post-match reaction from Marin Cilic

On how crucial it was to win the second-set tie-break: "I think in the second set I was a little bit up and down. He started to serve good and release a couple of his forehands. It was a bit difficult but I stayed focused mentally. It was extremely crucial in the tie-break to keep that pressure."

On Edmund's physical struggles during the third set: "I noticed his movement was a little bit restrictive so I tried to move the ball around."

Marin Cilic is into the Australian Open final for the first time 

On Edmund's potential: "Hes playing great tennis. He's improved a lot in the last couple of years. He's had a tough run to the semis and it's definitely left some scars on his body. He's definitely got a bright future and we're going to be seeing a lot of him."

On how he's feeling ahead of Sunday's final: "I feel really good. Today was different intensity to the match with Rafa. Overall I'm feeling really good thanks to my fitness coach. Obviously I have two days off before the final so it's going to be a nice one on Sunday."

On the possibility of playing Hyeon Chung in the final: "He's played a few great matches. It's been a great run for him. The court suits him nicely here. He's moving one of the best on the tour. It's amazing to watch him and it's great to see him coming up nicely. The end of last year was great for him winning the Next Gen Finals."

On the possibility of playing Roger Federer in the final: "Roger is always looking to play aggressively. I think if I'm serving well and playing aggressively I can match him with that game. It's difficult if you're always running around and he's controlling the point."

Roger Federer will face Hyeon Chung in the other semi-final