Plus there's the fact the Canberran loves the challenge of playing the best of the best, and especially the world No.1 from Spain.

Kyrgios faces Nadal in a mouth-watering, fourth-round clash at the Australian Open on Monday night.

The world No.26 made the round of 16 with an epic five-set victory over Russia's Karen Khachanov.

While he hit his usual winners from the backcourt, it was the drop shots and touch he showed at the net that caught Wally Masur's eye.

He said the 193-centimetre Kyrgios's skill level was "incredible" for a big man and that clearly his fellow Canberran was seeing the ball well.

The former world No.15 felt it could be a tactic Kyrgios could use against Nadal.

"Yeah it'll be interesting to see. Nick's obviously got all that power on the serve," Masur said.

"It's just a facet of his game we always knew was there, but he kind of highlighted [Saturday] night how good his hands are around the net.

"Rafa poses another problem altogether doesn't he. Lefty, different patterns of play, you have to serve to slightly different spots.

"But it'll be a good match and it will be interesting to see how Nick approaches it."

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Plus there's the Nadal carrot. His relationship with Kyrgios has been frosty, with the latter labelling the Spaniard "super salty" last year.

Kyrgios has relished playing the 19-time Major winner and has three wins from their seven encounters.

It's a clash that tennis fans have been waiting for since the Open draw was announced.

Kyrgios has won 16 of 33 matches against the top 10, but that record improves to 15 of 26 if you take out Roger Federer.

Masur also felt Kyrgios would have the crowd behind him when they take to Rod Laver Arena.

"He's got good win-loss records against the top players and he obviously enjoys playing them, and it's a great challenge," he said.

"I'm sure he's looking forward to it. I think he's getting a lot of support from the crowd and the crowd's enjoying his summer thus far.

"In the ATP Cup and the Australian Open he's had the crowds really getting behind him.

"That'll be good for him and I can't imagine that's going to be any different.

"He's really taking the crowd along for a ride and loving it."

Masur felt the ATP Cup and Australia's Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt had both played a role in Kyrgios's impressive start to the year.

Kyrgios has always loved being part of a team and especially representing Australia.

Hewitt has been a constant in Kyrgios's player box throughout his Australian Open campaign.

"It's positive isn't it. It's been a really good summer," Masur said.

"The ATP Cup seemed to be a really positive way for the Australian players to roll into the summer and Lleyton obviously played a big part in that."