Wild card Nick Kyrgios admitted he was “pretty good” as he won in the opening round at the Indian Wells Masters over Sebastian Baez on Thursday.
The Australian cruised past Baez in one hour and 12 minutes, winning 6-4 6-0 to secure a second-round meeting with another Argentine, 32nd seed Federico Delbonis.
Kyrgios, who had not competed since January’s Australian Open, was full of his typical flair, highlighted by 27-15 winners and 12-1 aces.
“When I play good, I’m pretty good,” Kyrgios said after the match. “I’m just going back to basics.”
Fabio Fognini made history in his 3-6 6-3 6-3 victory over Pablo Andujar, with his 392th career ATP win clocking up the most ever for an Italian, surpassing Adriano Panatta.
Compatriot Lorenzo Musetti also progressed on Thursday with a 6-3 7-5 win over American Marcos Giron.
Rising American talent Jenson Brooksby defeated Roberto Carballes Baena 6-1 6-4, while countryman and wild card Jack Sock brushed aside Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-1 6-1 in little over an hour.
Pedro Martinez made light work of Joao Sousa 6-4 7-5, while Tomas Machec got past Alexei Popyrin 6-3 7-5.