Kyle Edmund comes through Antwerp opener

Kyle Edmund has defeated Illya Marchenko in straight sets to progress through to the second round of the European Open in Antwerp.

The British number two began the week at a career-high world ranking of 43 and he has taken a step closer to moving further up the standings with a 7-6 7-6 win over the Ukrainian.

Both players broke once during the opening set but it was Edmund who was able to edge the tie-break 7-5 to move closer to the last 16.

Marchenko held a 5-2 lead in the second before Edmund won the next three games and squandered five opportunities to serve for the match.

The 21-year-old then had to save two set points to prevent Marchenko taking the contest into a decider but he held his nerve during the second tie-break to again take it 7-5.

Edmund will now face David Ferrer for a place in the quarter-finals.