Edmund sent packing early again

Kyle Edmund has lost four opening-round matches in a row

Kyle Edmund has lost at the Italian Open – the fourth consecutive tournament in which he has failed in the opening round.

The British No 1 was beaten 6-4 4-6 6-2 by Fernando Verdasco on Monday.

He has consecutively been eliminated at the first hurdle in Marrakech, Monte Carlo, Madrid and now Rome.

British No 3 Dan Evans also had his campaign ended early. He was beaten 7-5 0-6 6-3 by Casper Ruud, the world No 76 from Norway.

But there was better news for Cameron Norrie, who came from a set down to progress to the second round.

Norrie, 23, beat John Millman 3-6 6-3 6-4 and will face Borna Coric after the world No 15 defeated Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-4.