Edmund had been expected to last just a day in the tournament after he was drawn against No 11 seed Kevin Anderson.
But Britain’s sole representative in the men’s singles – Andy Murray had hip surgery a week before the Australian Open – knocked out the South African in five sets before going on the run of his life to reach the last four, including a famous quarter-final victory of world No 3 Grigor Dimitrov.
Now he faces Cilic, who had already beaten one Spaniard in Pablo Carreno Busta when he came up against Rafael Nadal in the quarters.
The No 1 seed took the lead twice but when the Croatian forced a deciding set, Nadal decided to call it quits with a leg injury while trailing 2-0 in the fifth.
So can Edmund upset the odds one more time? Express Sport brings you all the action from Melbourne.
Kyle Edmund vs Marin Cilic LIVE
(* denotes next to serve)
*Edmund 2-5 Cilic
9am: First blood Cilic. The Croatian holds to love and follows it with a strong return game, forcing two break points only one of which he is able to save.
8.55am: Not many nerves but Edmund accidentally challenges a call when trying to get the ballboy to bring his towel – umpire manages to allow it to be cancelled though!
Brilliant defence from the Brit at 30-30 on his own serve. Djokovic-esque slides into the ball and the like before Cilic finally bangs one wide. Sensational stuff.
8.45am: Dramatic start. Edmund immediately forces two break points as Cilic starts a little tight, but the Croatian finds two big serves to save them and eventually holds.
On his own serve, Edmund is called for an early foot fault. He’s baffled and confronts the umpire about it. Nothing doing (obviously) and he heads back to the baseline, winning the point with his second serve. He holds too and both players are on the board.
8.37am: Here we go. I’m legitimately nervous. I thought this was over when Murray pulled out…
8.30am: Coin toss done. Cilic won it (tails DID fail for Kyle) and will serve first. The players are knocking up and we are a couple of minutes away.
8.20am: Kyle Edmund had an earlier hit than usual today, apparently so he could get the chance to play on Rod Laver Arena before the sessions started there.
“I’ve got a late match and we had the option of hitting on an outside court but I’ve played one match here and I just thought it would be nice to hit again on here and feel the environment. It’s now waiting, refuelling and getting ready for tonight.”
We’re all waiting and refueling Kyle. Not long now…
7.40am: At last! World No 1 Simona Halep is through to the final. She wins the final set 9-7 to seal a fine match in two hours, 22 minutes. Remarkable stuff.
So I reckon that means we should be looking at a 7.40pm start time locally in Melbourne for the boys – that’s 8.40am over here, so you’ve got time for a coffee and a bagel.
7.30am: Hands up if you predicted this semi-final? Nope, me neither. I have instructed my bookies to find someone who bet on Edmund to win the whole thing – but no-one has turned up so far.
Now though, the Brit is as short as 10/1 to win his next two matches and seal a maiden Grand Slam title. I would usually say he hasn’t a hope but this week, anything is possible.
Along with Cilic, Edmund is due out on court in about 30 minutes. However, Halep and Kerber are at 7-7 in the third and still going, meaning the men’s semi looks to be delayed by at least 15 minutes.
