Nick Kyrgios breezes into Australian Open second round after win over Rogerio Dutra Silva

NICK Kyrgios has thundered into a depleted top half of the Australian Open draw, destroying outclassed Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva in straight sets.

Nick Kyrgios in action against Rogerio Dutra Silva.

NICK Kyrgios has thundered into a depleted top half of the Australian Open draw, destroying outclassed Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva in straight sets.

Joining John Millman and Matt Ebden in the last 64 with a commanding 6-1 6-2 6-4 triumph, 17th seed Kyrgios could hardly been more impressive.

But he believes there is plenty of scope for improvement, admitting to an attack of nerves in a triumphant Melbourne Park return.

AO LIVE STAGE: COMPLETE GUIDE TO LIVE MUSIC SERIES

DAY 1 LIVE: RE-CAP ALL THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN ACTION

THE SCORE: KYRGIOS’ BRUSH WITH QUEENSLAND POLICE

OFF COURT: KYRGIOS NOW A REBEL WITH A CAUSE

“It was obviously tough. I went out there pretty nervous,” he said.

“Obviously, I know I’m hitting the ball well. But to go out there in front of the crowd again, just trying to play well, I was a bit nervous going out there.

“Happy to get through. Loosened up a little bit in the third set. He kind of was red-lining a little bit.

Nick Kyrgios in action against Rogerio Dutra Silva.

“Made it a little bit more difficult for me to get into his service games. Ultimately, I thought it was a pretty good performance.

“Brisbane, I was serving really, really well. I thought I was hitting the ball a bit freer.

“Obviously it comes down to a bit of nerves. Just tightened up a little bit. Still managed to get it done.”

With 16 aces, Kyrgios produced a supreme serving display, also clubbing 33 winners and making just 17 unforced errors.

Untouchable on serve, Kyrgios conceded just 21 points against his own delivery in an 87-minute romp.

THE DAILY SERVE: LEO SCHLINK, EMILY BENAMMAR AND NICK SMART REVIEW THE OPENING DAY OF THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

“It’s definitely up there,” Kyrgios said of his performance. “I knew today I was facing a tough competitor.

“I’m obviously riding the confidence from Brisbane (where he claimed his first title on home soil).”

As imposing as his form was coming into the first major of the year, Kyrgios was apprehensive.

“Obviously very nervous first match of the Australian Open. I don’t think I was playing as well as Brisbane, but I think I can improve,” he said.

“I’m just excited to be back in Melbourne. I made a quarter-final on this court a couple of years ago and I can hopefully I can do it again.”

Nick talks with the chair umpire between games. Picture: Michael Klein

Kyrgios, 22, said he was pleased to have his girlfriend Ajla Tomljanovic back on tour after a string of injuries.

The Canberran will next face Serb Viktor Troicki, who denied South Australian Alex Bolt 6-7 (2-7), 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-4.

Kyrgios is wary of the right-hander.

“Tricky. He’s got a good serve. He has a great backhand,” Kyrgios said.

“He’s a journeyman. He’s been on the tour for a long time. Won a lot of matches.

“In the grand slams, he’s made the fourth round a lot of times. He knows the ups and downs that come in a grand slam match.

“Saw today, he was two sets to love down, and obviously didn’t faze him very much. He came back and won. That’s not easy to do.

“There’s not many people that come back from two sets to love down and win against an Aussie in Australia. He’s a tough competitor.”

Kyrgios’ march to the second week has been notionally boosted by the demise of US Open finalist Kevin Anderson, American John Isner and German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Markedly more composed, Kyrgios had only one glitch.

Serving for a 4-1 lead in the first set when he apparently told a member of the crowd to “shut the f--- up” during his service motion.

Kyrgios immediately received a code violation from the chair umpire Fergus Murphy.

The Australian and Murphy then exchanged words at the end of the set as Kyrgios quizzed the umpire over why he didn’t caution the crowd earlier as fans made noise during his service action.