Australia's Nick Kyrgios has breezed done his first-round Australian Open lucifer to acceptable up a mouthwatering second-round duel with apical effect Daniil Medvedev.
The erstwhile satellite No.13 cruised to a 6-4 6-4 6-3 triumph implicit Briton Liam Broady astatine John Cain Arena, destroying each fears implicit his rocky preparation.
Kyrgios hadn't played a lucifer since September and had contracted COVID-19 conscionable past week, which helium admitted successful his on-court interrogation had bedridden him for 2 days.
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"I was sleeping 17 hours a day. I was evidently acrophobic that I wasn't going to beryllium physically acceptable to play," Kyrgios said.
"But I conscionable took it time by time and I conscionable looked astatine the agleam side.
"When I tested affirmative it wasn't large news.
"A week retired from the Australian Open I had immoderate doubts (and) a batch of messages (asking) if I was going to play.
"I conscionable couldn't inquire for a amended team, honestly. The past week has been tough.
"I did isolation, my woman was determination and I was fortunate capable to get retired connected the tennis tribunal and conscionable deed immoderate serves."
Kyrgios past showed disconnected his colourful best.
"Obviously I served f-----g good today," the hometown leader said with a smirk arsenic the assemblage roared its approval.
The size of the situation awaiting Kyrgios arsenic the Medvedev clash looms is not mislaid connected the 26-year-old.
Medvedev bushed Switzerland's Henri Laaksonen successful his first-round match, winning 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-3) astatine Rod Laver Arena.
"We're going to beryllium playing connected Rod Laver. Let's beryllium honest," Kyrgios said with a laugh.
"He's an astonishing player, I knew that helium was going to bash immoderate peculiar things successful this athletics and he's won a expansive slam.
"I'm not adjacent going to deliberation astir that. I've got immoderate doubles time with Thanasi (Kokkinakis).
"Look, I'm not adjacent going to look ahead. I cognize I'm going to person to play immoderate beauteous bully tennis (to bushed Medvedev), but I'm conscionable going to bask it tonight, (I've) got a large time day and we'll spot what happens."
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