KYLE Edmund became the first British player to fall at Wimbledon after he endured a straight-sets defeat to France's Adrian Mannarino.

Beverley-based Edmund is considered a potential successor to Andy Murray's reign at the top of the men's game in this country but Mannarino was a comfortable victor on Court Two, winning 6-2 7-5 6-4.

The 21-year-old former Pocklington Prep School pupil arrived at the All England Club in good form, pushing Murray to three sets at Queen's two weeks ago soon after beating then-world number 18 Gilles Simon for the biggest victory, in ranking terms, of his career.

Grass, however, remains Edmund's least favourite surface and this is now the fourth consecutive year at Wimbledon he has lost in the first round.

"It's funny because my best result on paper is on grass," Edmund said.

"I feel more comfortable on other surfaces. It doesn't mean I can't play on this surface. I think it just means I've had less time on it."

Edmund's serve was particularly vulnerable, producing 10 double faults in total, and Mannarino capitalised with seven breaks.

After a shaky first set, the Briton grew into the match in the second and third but he made too many mistakes to establish any momentum.

Mannarino, a crafty left-hander known for his touch and variety, was an awkward first round draw but Edmund, ranked 68th in the world, was far from his free-flowing best.

"I thought I just played quite inconsistently today," Edmund said. "With the way I was constructing points, I didn't put enough pressure on him.

"My serve was quite inconsistent. I served well in patches and in patches it went off.

"In the second and third set I broke him back, but you want to be breaking to go ahead in the match. It was a shame because I always felt I was playing catch-up."

Edmund is still in the doubles event at SW19 and he will then turn his attention to Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final against Serbia next month. Mannarino faces Novak Djokvic in round two.