Courier believes Raonic test could benefit Kyrgios

TWO-TIME Australian Open champion Jim Courier says Nick Kyrgios’s tough opening round draw against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic tonight could be a blessing in disguise.

Courier said the testing match-up against the Wimbledon finalist would mean Kyrgios had no room for complacency.

“He’s going to need to come out of the blocks hot,’’ Courier said.

“His draw is difficult. But that may benefit him because there is no margin for error when you play someone of Raonic’s calibre in the first round.

“When Nick’s paying attention he is a real threat to go deep. It may end up benefiting him that he has such a tricky draw at the start. Anyone knows that he has the ability to beat anyone on any given day.’’ Krygios is unseeded after a rankings slide in 2018 that has seen him fall to No.52.

The mercurial talent, who reached the quarter-finals of his home grand slam in 2015, revealed pre-tournament he was in a “good spot mentally”.

Courier said he was looking forward to seeing a refreshed Kyrgios at his best.

“He sounded like he had had a really nice off-season at home,’’ Courier said.

“There is plenty of open roads for Nick, he has a lot of time. He has plenty of time in front of him but every day is valuable.”