Australian Open 2018: Nick Kyrgios meets and beats idol Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

TEN years ago, when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reached the final in Melbourne, young Nick Kyrgios would loiter around the Frenchman’s practice court to gather his hero’s autograph. Last night, there was a changing of the guard.

Nick Kyrgios celebrates after defeating France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Picture: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

THEY say you should never meet your idols. But playing them, Nick Kyrgios will be thinking today, is just fine.

Ten years ago, when Jo-Wilfried Tsonga reached the final in Melbourne, the young Kyrgios would loiter around the Frenchman’s practice court to gather his hero’s autograph, day after day. Tsonga always obliged.

AS IT HAPPENED: KYRGIOS WINS EPIC BATTLE TO SET UP DIMITROV CLASH

REPORT: NICK KYRGIOS DOWNS JO-WILFRIED TSONGA IN FOUR SETS

Nick Kyrgios celebrates after victory. Picture: AFP/Peter Parks

Last night, the amiable giant was generous again, albeit more than he would have liked.

Twenty-eight hours before it would have been little surprise to see pools of water follow Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils around post-match but this was a more tempered affair, Tsonga in particular nowhere near top gear.

It seems obtuse to say this tournament calmed down with Kyrgios last night, but it did, heat hysteria and fraternal controversy — brother Christos wearing a logo free T-shirt was on his best behaviour — were put to one side as Nick simply got on with things, the spectacular absent.

Australia's Nick Kyrgios celebrates after defeating France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga during his third round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Neither man brought their ‘A’ game. Picture: Michael Klein

Nick Kyrgios embraces Jo-Wilfried Tsonga after the match. Picture: AFP/Peter Parks

Neither man brought their ‘A’ game, the match an oddly passionless at times albeit Tsonga going head to head with a heckler as he lost the third set, a code violation the upshot.

Courtside Lleyton Hewitt and Thanasi Kokkinakis sat just behind the Kyrgios camp, Tony Roche another Aussie onlooker from the media box, but really the night never got going, a welcome breeze damping great excitement.

Evening matches on Rod Laver Arena are a curious affair, all flashing lights and volume to hype up combatants and crowd before the roof opens and the sedate sets in.

WILL SMITH JOINS WILL FERRELL IN ADDING HOLLYWOOD FLAVOUR TO AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Nick Kyrgios lunges at a backhand. Picture: Michael Klein

American actor Will Smith is acknowledged during a post match interview by Nick Kyrgios. Picture: AAP/Dean Lewins

It’s not Hisense but nor is it Centre Court at Wimbledon either, the threadbare, vocal ensemble a few rows behind brother Christos to gee up the partisans, neither inventive nor inspiring.

But deeply embarrassing.

At the end of the second set the cameras beamed the smiling Hollywood star Will Smith, in the house, onto the big screens, and to rapturous applause, before cutting momentarily to a stony faced Kyrgios unamused by the intrusion. Showbiz yes but cack-handed and crass and you had to think Nick got it right.

Both men reserved their best serves for when it mattered, adding to feeling of a slight restraint all night perhaps from mutual respect, perhaps in Kyrgios case also because he was shattered from playing doubles in the Thursday oven.

Job done, it can’t be fireworks every day.

Originally published as Australian Open 2018: Nick Kyrgios meets and beats idol Jo-Wilfried Tsonga