Pouille overcame the two-time victor 6-1 2-6 6-4 3-6 7-6 (8-6) to secure a last eight meeting with compatriot Gaël Monfils.
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The Serb kept himself busy on the practice courts but was happy to cut loose against an actual opponent, making 21-year-old Edmund the target of his arsenal of rifled groundstrokes, angled volleys, pinpoint passing shots, lobs and drop shots. That’s my game. That’s what I’ve been doing this tournament.
‘I was pleased, ‘ Djokovic said in his post-match press conference after winning 6-2 6-1 6-4.
“There’s a lot of learning to do from it, which is a really good thing”. “When it happens it will be an wonderful feeling because that was also one of my dreams when I was a kid”.
And yet it was in that same game that Edmund began his mini-run.
Much as he did after having that same arm treated on Day 1 of the tournament – the last time he was forced to play a full match – Djokovic deflected questions about the elbow at his post-match news conference. But the Serb broke back immediately and a break to love in the 10th game sealed victory shortly afterwards after an hour and 55 minutes on court. “Midnight delight. And hopefully there will be another delight in a couple of days, but it’s going to be obviously tough against Jo, who has been playing some great tennis”. He’s there rightfully so, very consistent at a high level.
“I’ll learn from what happened in Miami”.
I said yesterday that we might see a much sharper Andy Murray against Grigor Dimitrov than we did against Paulo Lorenzi, but I don’t think many expected a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 demolition job by the Scot.
The Yorkshire-based youngster has always had talent but his rise in confidence has been notable since he led Britain to Davis Cup victory, without Murray, over Serbia in July. The world number 84 ripped a backhand cross court victor to move to break point but could not convert that chance or a second as the defending champion held for 2-0.
As the light dimmed, the noise rose, and Isner thrived on the atmosphere, although it was a stroke of fortune that prompted his break when a mis-hit return caught Edmund by surprise. Edmund recovered to reach game point but Djokovic was not to be denied a break of serve, closing the game with a backhand volley victor to take a 2-1 lead.
Sceptics might point out that he still needed a visit from the trainer, midway through the third set, to manipulate his right arm and shoulder – a request he later justified with the words “Everything was fine”.
The fourth set was the most dramatic but Edmund never cowered and instead it was Isner who lost his cool at 5-4, appealing his opponent’s ace only to find all his challenges were used up.
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The match came alive in the third set when, an early break up again, Djokovic let his intensity slip and the GB number three grabbed his opportunity, finally breathing fire and showing what all the fuss is about with that sledgehammer forehand.
