Nick Kyrgios has given Australia a 1-0 Davis Cup lead against Belgium, beating the gutsy Steve Darcis 6-2 7-6 (10-8) in Madrid.

Kyrgios largely kept his emotions in check to see off the wily 35-year-old who has been Australia’s nemesis in two previous Davis Cup encounters in a match delayed by more than two hours.

Kyrgios powered through the opening set in 24 minutes and then held his nerve against against a much-improved Darcis in a high-quality second set in front on noisy crowd dominated by Belgian fans.

Once again Kyrgios held his serve throughout, hurling down 22 aces – including an incredible nine in 10 points in the latter stages of the second set.

But Darcis refused to lie down and saved two match points – one from a 21-shot rally and the second from a 31-shot extravaganza.

Kyrgios did well to hold firm when it mattered and saved two set points to close out the win and repeat his victory over the Belgian No.2 from two years ago in Brussels.

Australia No.1 Alex de Minaur will face world No.11 David Goffin in the second rubber of a tie that is almost certain to finish in the early hours of the morning..

The final doubles rubber will see John Peers and Jordan Thompson meet Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen.

Great Britain’s marathon 2-1 win against the Netherlands earlier on Court Three, which saw all three rubbers go the distance, kept Australia and Belgium waiting.

Victory for Australia will see them top Group D where they will meet Canada in the quarter-finals, once again in the late timeslot on Thursday (0400 Friday AEDT).