Nick Kyrgios has been told to prepare for the biggest test of his Australian Open campaign when he meets Andreas Seppi, and warned not to relax after watching the shock exit of idol Roger Federer.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Canberra teenager admits he had let his mind cast forward to a potential blockbuster match against Federer in the fourth round at Melbourne Park before Seppi bundled the 17-time grand slam winner out of the tournament.
Federer's abrupt departure has opened up the draw for Kyrgios with potential quarter-final and semi-final contests against Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal waiting if he can topple Seppi.
But while Kyrgios beat Seppi at the US Open last year, coach Todd Larkham says one moment of relaxation could cost Kyrgios his hopes of advancing to the next round.
"Seppi's in form and he'll be riding super high on confidence," Larkham said. "To me, this is the toughest match he's had.
"It's a huge test, but I feel that Nick's getting better even though he came in underprepared. It's been a great effort to get through the first three matches and now he's well and truly seeing the ball well.
"That gives me confidence, he's got more confidence in his game and physically I think his body is ready to stand up to the test of going into the second week of a grand slam tournament."
Kyrgios has been troubled by a back injury at times during the Australian Open and took three medical timeouts for a blood nose in his straight-sets win against Malek Jaziri.
The 19-year-old showman has been bumped to Hisense Arena for the fourth-round battle against Seppi, with Murray, Nadal and Bernard Tomic taking top billing on the main two courts.
Kyrgios was thrust into the international spotlight when he beat Nadal at Wimbledon last year, but he described his win against Seppi as "the best tennis I played in my life".
"I'm just going to do everything I can now to prepare. I played him once at the US Open. That was a really, really tough match. I probably played the best tennis I played in my life. I need to be ready again.
"I served really well in New York. I have obviously got to be serving top notch to give myself a chance. In that match I was really solid from the back and I was playing aggressively. I think he knows what to expect. I know what's coming, as well. I think it's going to be a fun match."
Kyrgios struggled with tournament stamina in his first full year on the professional circuit, battling cramps late in long matches.
But Larkham believes the former Daramalan College student has proved he can handle five-set tennis.
Kyrgios was prepared for a tough run through the early Australian Open rounds with potential clashes with Tommy Robredo and Federer in the third and fourth rounds.
But Robredo withdrew because of injury and Federer was ousted.
"The draw has opened up a bit, it is a nice break," Larkham said.
"The draw has been kind to him, but in saying that you've still got to play great to be able to get through. But you'd rather be playing Seppi than Federer. This half of the draw is stacked and incredibly tough.
"Nick is gaining more confidence in his body every match, he now knows he can play long matches. So far each match he's gained confidence because everything's holding up.
"He's ready to do it. He can definitely play a few more matches."
