US Open: Britain's Kyle Edmund outclassed by Novak Djokovic in US Open fourth round

The Serbian blew away the Briton and stormed to victory in one hour and 56 minutes

The defeat means Andy Murray is left as Britain's sole interest in the singles at Flushing Meadows (Getty)

Kyle Edmund's excellent run at the US Open ended in disappointment as the British number four was blown away by Novak Djokovic.

Edmund was making his debut in the night session of a packed-out Arthur Ashe Stadium, and nerves appeared to hamper the 21-year-old, who was beaten 6-2 6-1 6-4.

The defeat means Andy Murray is left as Britain's sole interest in the singles at Flushing Meadows, while Djokovic goes through to meet France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter-finals.

Edmund has enjoyed something of a New York breakthrough, knocking out Richard Gasquet and John Isner in rounds one and three, but Djokovic was always likely to offer a step up in class and did not disappoint.

Doubts about the top seed's rhythm, following a walkover and early retirement in the previous rounds, were erased but an asterisk remains next to his fitness given he had to call for treatment on his elbow again early in the third set.

The Serbian enters the second week with only five hours and four minutes of tennis on the clock, but his physical issues may prove more of a hindrance under stiffer examinations, starting with the powerful Tsonga.

"It feels great to play a match. The first complete match I played was a first-round night session," Djokovic said on court afterwards.

"Now a fourth round, after a weird couple of rounds. I'm really glad to be back. I thought I came out of the blocks and played high intensity.

"I want to wish Kyle the best. He is only 21 and playing his first Arthur Ashe match, so he deserves applauds."


 Djokovic was always likely to offer a step up in class and did not disappoint 
 (Getty)

For Edmund, this was certainly a chastening experience and the shame was he failed to do his great potential justice until the final set, by which time the result was already beyond doubt.

The Yorkshire-based youngster had promised to stick to his aggressive game but he over-extended from the baseline, rushing to hit winners and instead committing a string of errors.

There is consolation, however, that his victories here will see him climb just outside the top 50 in the rankings and his run to the last 16 was the best of his grand slam career so far.

As he lined up in the tunnel, Djokovic said he had "missed tennis" during his week of walkovers, and the 29-year-old certainly stormed out of the blocks, breaking Edmund twice before serving out the opening set.

The crowd had gasped when first introduced to one of Edmund's rasping forehands but he was too eager to unleash, as a few cracked off his frame and into the crowd.


 Nerves appeared to hamper Edmund 
 (Getty)

Djokovic broke again in the first game of the second and once more for 4-0, as the favourite won his 10th game out of 11 to cement his advantage.

The defending champion was starting to enjoy himself, at one point drop-shotting his opponent twice in one rally, with a well-placed lob in between, much to the crowd's delight.

At the start of the third, however, he called on the trainer to massage his troublesome right elbow and there was some temporary respite for Edmund, who broke twice to lead 3-2.

One blistering forehand offered a glimpse of the Briton's talent, but it was too little, too late, as Djokovic strolled to victory in one hour and 56 minutes.

PA.