US Open 2016: Kyle Edmund gets British invasion under way with a win against No13 seed Richard Gasquet

KYLE EDMUND launched the British invasion of the Big Apple with the biggest win of his career.

Edmund beat No 13 seed Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-2 6-3 to record only the third Grand Slam victory of his life.

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And although world No 15 Gasquet was short on fitness and out of sorts, the young Brit played brilliantly to move into the second round of the US Open.

It was another coming-of-age milestone for the British No 4.

In Belgrade last month Edmund was asked to fill the massive shoes of Andy Murray, who decided he could not risk switching to clay for the Davis Cup quarter final tie against Serbia ahead of the hard-court season.

Edmund’s response was to win both his singles matches and send Britain into a home semi-final against Argentina next month.

Against Gasquet, he was playing for himself again but the same devastating forehand that had laid waste to the Serbs did the damage against the Frenchman.

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Gasquet’s preparations had been hampered by a back problem and he did not look fully fit or focused.

But Edmund could only beat what was in front of him and he did so in style. Gasquet is the highest ranked player he has ever beaten and he will only draw more confidence from another impressive performance.

Edmund is one of eight Brits in the first round in New York – the biggest contingent for more than 30 years.

British No 1 Jo Konta will try to make it two wins from two when she takes on Bethanie Mattek-Sands this evening.

The other six Great Britain players are all in action tomorrow.