Tomic heads for first Kyrgios showdown

BERNARD Tomic’s hopes of arresting a depressing slump could hinge on an intriguing possible clash with Nick Kyrgios in Mexico this week.

In a miserable form rut after three successive losses, Tomic will seek to return to the winner’s list when he tackles American Donald Young in Acapulco.

If the Queenslander overcomes Young and Kyrgios dispatches Israeli Dudi Sela, the pair will clash for the first time at professional level.

Close friends off-court, Australia’s two highest-ranked men — Kyrgios is No.17, while Tomic has provisionally slipped to No.41 — are going through contrasting phases.

While Tomic has lost three successive matches since reaching the third round of the Australian Open, Kyrgios excelled in Davis Cup before advancing to the Marseille semifinals.

If the Acapulco clash eventuates, the winner of the match will receive a dubious reward — a probable quarter-final appointment with top seed and world No.2 Novak Djokovic or US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro.

The possibility of Kyrgios and Tomic crossing swords comes as Lleyton Hewitt continues preparations for Australia’s Davis Cup quarter-final with the US in Brisbane next month.

At this stage, Tomic remains unavailable despite building an enviable 17-4 Cup record.

Tellingly, Kyrgios and Tomic are not teaming in doubles in Mexico.

Kyrgios will partner American Jack Sock, one of the men he will face in Brisbane next month, as Tomic combines with Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi.

Kyrgios has opted to bypass Dubai this week for Acapulco, where his girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic will play Canadian Eugenie Bouchard after overcoming a string of injuries.

Tomic has plummeted out of grand slam seeding range.