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Kyle Edmund holds off Malek Jaziri to make it through to the second round of the Rome Masters

Edmund celebrates breaking into ATP world top 20 for first time by winning opener in Italian capital

Kyle Edmund of Great Britain celebrates victory against Malek Jaziri of Tunisia during day two of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2018 tennis at Foro Italico on May 14, 2018 in Rome, Italy.
Image: Kyle Edmund continued his fine run of form on clay as he overcame Malek Jaziri in Rome

Kyle Edmund came through in three sets against Tunisian dangerman Malek Jaziri to make it through to the second round of the Rome Masters on Monday.

The British No 1, who has broken into the top 20 after reaching his first Masters 1000 quarter-final at the Madrid Open last week, made it through against the qualifier thanks to a 6-3 3-6 6-3 victory on the Next Gen Arena.

Edmund had lost four out of his last five deciding set matches, but having recorded a memorable win over former world No 1 Novak Djokovic in the Spanish capital, he used his big-match experience to close out the win in two hours and four minutes.

The 23-year-old will take on the winner of the match between 16th seed Lucas Pouille and Italian wild card Andreas Seppi.

Kyle Edmund of Great Britain celebrates a point against Malek Jaziri of Tunisia during day two of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2018 tennis at Foro Italico on May 14, 2018 in Rome, Italy.

Jaziri was never going to prove a pushover, with the talented but erratic world No 64 having reached the final of the Istanbul Open last month.

Edmund was forced to save break points in his opening service game but hit back to break Jaziri for a 4-2 lead and maintained his advantage to seize the first set.

Jaziri was not going to roll over, and broke Edmund in the fourth game of the second set, proceeding to fight off two break points on his own serve before levelling the match.

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But Edmund kept his nerve to grab the solitary break of the decisive set and move through to round two.

The Masters 1000 Series continues with our coverage of the ATP Italian Open on Sky Sports Arena from 10am on Tuesday.

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