Nick Kyrgios beats Cameron Norrie in ATP Cup quarter-finals, lauds Lleyton Hewitt
Nick Kyrgios thanked the crowd for making their way to Ken Rosewall Arena "so early" after sweeping aside Cameron Norrie to give Australia a 1-0 lead in their quarter-final.
A noted night owl, Kyrgios took some time to warm into his clash with Norrie before putting his foot on the gas to finish it off in two easy sets, 6-2 6-2.
"It was tough for me to get up for this so early, so it must have been tough for the crowd to come out to watch," Kyrgios said in his post-match interview.
He also credited fellow Aussie professional Jordan Thompson for spurring him on.
"My good friend Jordan Thompson was here today so that made me play a bit better," Kyrgios said.
"I love a team event, Rusty's (Lleyton Hewitt) the best captain and all the teammates, we've just been supporting one another, being there for each other, and it's paying off."
Lleyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios celebrate victory in the opening singles rubber vs Great Britain. Getty
Kyrgios simply had too many weapons for Norrie. The Australian was coming off a superb win over highly-fancied Australian Open contender and world No.6 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Should Australia progress to the semi-finals, Kyrgios would likely play Spanish No.2 Roberto Bautista Agut, the world No.9. Spain face Belgium in the quarter-finals tomorrow, led by world No.1 and 19-time major winner Rafael Nadal.
