Nick Kyrgios began his US Open hardcourt run with a 6-3 4-6
6-4 victory over Fernando Verdasco on Tuesday under the watchful eye of new
mentor Lleyton Hewitt at the ATP Montreal Masters.
Kyrgios, the world No. 41, is working alongside Australia's
double grand slam winner in an informal capacity, with the 34-year-old elder
statesman of the current Aussie game happy to help out the 20-year-old
youngster.
But Kyrgios said the arrangement remains flexible and fluid,
with Hewitt also attending to his own business on court as he goes into the
final months of a career due to end early in 2016 after playing in his last
Australian Open.
"He's not my coach. Let's clear that up now," said
Kyrgios after his victory in 95 minutes over Spain's Verdasco in a first-time
meeting featuring 15 aces off the Aussie racquet.
"He's more of a mentor. Lleyton is very kind to take
time away from his family and his career to help me and Thanassi (Kokkinakis).
We don't know how long it will last but it is a great help."
Kyrgios has not played since losing his only singles rubber
in Davis Cup play last month after finishing a turbulent Wimbledon fortnight
which was marred by outbursts and controversy from his side.
But the Australian may have regained some calm after a few
weeks at home in Canberra.
"I came from a place where it's really cold right
now," he said of the Australian capital, where readings this week dropped
below freezing at night. "I've been practising indoors.
"Conditions here are tough, and the humidity doesn't
help," he said on a day when play was delayed for two hours by rain.
"I've never sweated so much as I did today."
Kyrgios called his win over Verdasco acceptable: "I was
pleased to get a win over a quality opponent," he said before moving into
a second-round clash with French Open champion Stan Wawrinka. "I'm really
happy with myself. The courts here are bouncy and lively. I knew I had to take
control even if I didn't serve that well.
"I'm pleased with how I finished in the third set. I
competed well and that's the main thing.
"Stan is playing unbelievable tennis. He's got a big
everything - forehand, backhand. I'll go out there, play my game and see how it
goes."
In other first-round matches, 13th seed David Goffin started
with an easy 6-2 6-2 defeat of American Steve Johnson while 14th seed Grigor
Dimitrov beat Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4 7-5 under leaden skies.
Top seed Novak Djokovic and number two Andy Murray were due
to open later on a day still under threat from rain.
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