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Australia’s best young player Nick Kyrgios will be favoured to progress to the second round of the Australian Open when he faces off against tricky Spaniard Pablo Carreno-Busta. Join The Roar for live scores from 7:00pm (AEDT).
On talent alone, Kyrgios possesses the potential to replicate last year’s quarter-final appearance at his home slam. He has certified himself as one of the best young players on the ATP tour and is capable of beating anyone on his day.
Indeed, Kyrgios provided fans with a small sample of his potential with a quality straight sets victory over Andy Murray at the Hopman Cup several weeks ago. While only a preparatory tournament, the signs are certainly positive from Kyrgios compared to last year, when he entered the Australian Open under a fitness cloud.
At full fitness and with confidence sky-high, Kyrgios will be expected to win in straight sets against first round opponent Carreno-Busta.
However, any sort of complacency from Kyrgios will prove his undoing today against a Spanish player that has competed well against players with a higher pedigree.
In the Qatar Open this year, Carreno-Busta took the first set off Rafael Nadal before losing in three sets.
The Spaniard also held his own against Kyrgios last year at the Estoril Open before losing in a tight three setter 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.
Such a tough match-up against Carreno-Busta last year should leave no doubt in Kyrgios’ mind that his opponent today will be ready to compete, and with nothing to lose, the Spaniard could prove to be a thorn in the Australia’s corner.
Indeed, Kyrgios also struggled in the first round of the 2015 Australian Open, defeating Federico Delbonis in five sets, so a dropped set from the Aussie wouldn’t surprise.
Given the form he has produced thus far, though, the pressure will be on Kyrgios to win well today and continue well into the second week of his home slam. If he remains at his physical and mental peak, a straight sets win looms over the plucky Carreno-Busta.
Kyrgios in straight sets.