Rising Australian teenage star Nick Kyrgios has marched into the second round of the Australian Open with an impressive victory over experienced German Benjamin Becker.
The reigning Australian Open junior champion continued his seamless graduation to senior ranks, defying the searing heat and a shoulder problem to win 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 7-6 (7-2) and set up a second-round clash with Frenchman Benoit Paire, the No.25 seed.
Kyrgios claimed his maiden grand slam match victory at last year’s French Open against Radek Stepanek and took just as much out of Tuesday’s win.
“The one at the French was in straight sets, whereas this one I had to dig deeper,” he said.
“Obviously today it started a bit tough for both of us.
“The temperature got up to 43 degrees or something and we were both struggling physically in the conditions.
“But this is my home and I came out and defended my home.”
Kyrgios had treatment on his right shoulder early in the fourth set.
“I’m obviously going to be feeling it a bit, but it’s good enough for me to play,” he said.
In other action, luckless Marinko Matosevic extended his winless run at grand slam level to 12 matches with a heartbreaking loss to Japan’s Kei Nishikori.
In a battle of attrition lasting three hours and 41 minutes, Matosevic, 28, lost 6-3 5-7 6-2 4-6 6-2 in a first-round clash lasting three hours and 41 minutes.
Matosevic is now winless in a dozen singles matches in majors dating back to the 2010 Australian Open.
The world No.54 is also yet to win a five-set match.
Several times throughout Tuesday’s match, Nishikori looked to be affected by the extreme heat, but he was able to keep his cool when it mattered most in the fifth set.
Matosevic was also docked a point for a time violation at an important stage of the third set, allowing Nishikori to claim a 5-2 lead.
Fellow Australian Storm Sanders also let a golden winning opportunity slip on her grand slam debut, losing 4-6 6-1 6-4 to Italian Camila Giorgi.
Sanders, 19, led 4-2 in the deciding set before Giorgi stepped up to claim the last four games.
“She’s a good player, she made the fourth round at the US Open,” said Sanders.
“It was tough, it was hot, the wind was swirling and she doesn’t give you much rhythm.
“Obviously I’m disappointed but she played well and I just couldn’t get across the line.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a an opportunity lost.
“I went out there and gave it 100 per cent and probably missed a few chances, but she played well in the end.”
Australian James Duckworth went down 6-4 6-4 6-2 to 17-time major winner Roger Federer.