Kyle Edmund has bowed out of the Australian Open after losing in straight sets to world number 39 Steve Johnson.
© Getty Images
The British number three, who came through three qualifying matches to make the main draw, competed well on his Melbourne debut but he eventually lost out 6-4 6-4 6-3 to the American.
Edmund started solidly enough out on Court 22, but after creating a 40-15 advantage in the fifth game, he surrendered four points in a row to gift Johnson the opening break of the match.
The world number 192 was becoming inconsistent, despite getting to 4-5, but as the American served for the first set in the 10th game, experience told as Edmund missed a break-point opportunity before slipping behind.
© Getty Images
Edmund began the second set in solid fashion, holding serve three times to prevent Johnson from running away with the match, but the 25-year-old finally struck in the seventh game before confidently serving out the set for a commanding lead.
The Beverley-based player dropped serve at the start of the third to give Johnson the platform to serve out the match and he did so with ease to bring an end to Edmund's Australian Open campaign.
Darren Plant
