Ranking milestone big carrot for Kyrgios
NICK Kyrgios will be within reach of a career-high world ranking if he can overcome Jo-Wilfried Tsonga tonight and surge into the fourth round of the Australian Open.
The charging Aussie, who has not dropped a set in his first two wins, will try to wear down the Frenchman with his aggressive strokeplay on Rod Laver Arena.
Kyrgios yesterday revealed Tsonga, 32, was one of his childhood idols and he had followed him on the Melbourne Park practice courts in 2008.
“I was 12. I went to all his practice sessions with a new ball. He signed it every day,” Kyrgios said.
“I don’t know if he remembers. I didn’t miss one of his practice sessions. Obviously a guy I looked up to growing up. I’ve seen him play a lot. I know what he’s going to bring.
“He knows what I’m going to bring. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
A blockbuster win against Tsonga would set up a tough showdown against either third seed Grigor Dimitrov or Andrey Rublev (30).
It would take Kyrgios to the brink of equalling his best No.13 ranking from two years ago.
Tonight’s clash marks an exciting return to centre court for Kyrgios, 22, who said he was ready to step it up on the main stage after previously preferring Hisense Arena.
Kyrgios’ best Open result was the 2015 quarter-final.
Yesterday Belgian David Goffin capitulated in the severe heat against French journeyman Julien Benneteau 1-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, 7-6 (7-4), while Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem beat American qualifier Denis Kudla 6-7 (6-8), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 .