Kyrgios backed to go all the way

NICK Kyrgios still has the potential to reach the greatest heights in tennis – and could win this year’s Australian Open – according to the man he eviscerated in his openinground demolition.

Liam Broady felt the full force of Hurricane Kyrgios on John Cain Arena, wiped out of the tournament in under two hours in an experience he described as “absolutely awful”.

Kyrgios’ next challenge, in the form of world No.2 Daniil Medvedev, is far more substantial. It’s akin to conquering Henman Hill and then staring up at Mount Everest.

But Broady believes nothing is impossible for Kyrgios and his unfulfilled potential, especially with the backing of the Australian public.

“In my opinion, Nick’s one of, if not the most, talented players in the sport,” Broady said. “He has a winning record against Novak (Djokovic, 2-0). I mean, you’re not an amateur if you’ve got winning records against players like that.

“I think he could win. If he could get his body right, there’s no reason why he wouldn’t be at the top of the sport and winning everything. That’s how good I think he is.”

Medvedev is another player Kyrgios owns a winning record against, having beaten the US Open champion twice in 2019, but the man himself says history will count for nothing when the two face off in a second-round clash.

“There’s no doubt that he’s probably double the player (now) than he was before when I played him,” Kyrgios said.

“I have had success against him in the past, I know the kind of game style and the way I need to play. He knows how I’m going to play, I think, and I know how he’s going to play. It’s going to be very contrasting styles.”

The clash pits Kyrgios’ fierce forehand and serve against Medvedev’s relentless defence and awkward style – with the unknowns being the influence of a raucous home crowd, and Kyrgios’ recent recovery from Covid.

The Australian admitted he had been floored by the virus last week, but showed little signs of it impacting his play on Tuesday.

However that might be tested if he’s put through the wringer by the tournament’s outright favourite, with Medvedev noting his opponent’s lack of matches – just eight since last year’s Australian Open – as an advantage he can exploit.

“It’s not easy when you don’t play a lot of tennis, and Nick didn’t for a long time,” the Russian said. “(But) it’s definitely going to be not easy against the crowd. He’s going to try to pump himself up. He likes to play big names.”