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Nick Kyrgios has made a winning return to the court, unleashing a serving blitz to power past Sebastian Baez 6-4, 6-0 at the prestigious Indian Wells tournament in California.
- Kyrgios had not played since the Australian Open
- He faces Argentine Federico Delbonis in the second round
- Fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin lost in the first round
The victory marked his first appearance since winning the Australian Open men's doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis in January.
World number 132 Kyrgios, who needed a wildcard to play in Indian Wells, sent down 12 aces to one and landed 90 per cent of his first serves on the way to the comfortable win over the 60th-ranked Baez.
He plays Argentina's world number 34 Federico Delbonis in the second round.
"It was good to be back. I haven't played in the desert (Indian Wells) for almost two, three years, so just good to be back feeling healthy," Kyrgios said.
"I love this place. It's relaxing, it's very different to every other event and just to be playing good tennis … that guy's (Baez) 60 in the world but I know what I'm capable of.
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Kyrgios and Delbonis have only faced off once before, with the Australian winning an epic five-set encounter in the first round of the 2015 Australian Open.
"I played him in the Australian Open one year and I won in five sets, so he's tough," Kyrgios said.
"He's a tough left-lander and he plays well in these conditions. He's had a couple of good wins here so he's a great competitor too."
Kyrgios teamed with Kokkinakis at the Australian Open in what became a wild ride on the way to taking home the doubles title.
A few weeks later, a candid Kyrgios opened up about his past battles with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
He also revealed he abused alcohol and drugs.
The 26-year-old will again team up with Kokkinakis at Indian Wells.
Fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin could only convert one of his 14 break-point chances on the way to a disappointing 6-3, 7-5 loss to Czech qualifier Tomas Machac in the first round of the men's singles.
A win would have earned Popyrin a shot at newly-crowned world number one Daniil Medvedev in the second round, but instead he has been left to rue the one that got away.
AAP/ABC