Smitten Australia falls for 'childish brat' Kyrgios

So often reviled for his antics on court, Australia's Nick Kyrgios is w something of a national hero after his box-office performances at Melbourne Park and heartfelt support for victims of dely bushfires. 24-year-old's apparent newfound maturity was lauded in local media after his four-set victory on Thursday over France's Gilles Simon in Australian Open second round. A picture of 23rd seed punching air took up half front p of Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper, proclaiming: "Kyrgios beats demons, wins mirers." He was on back ps too after his 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory, which set up a third-round meeting with Karen Khachav, 16th seed from Russia.

re were flashes of worst of Kyrgios, losing his temper with his court-side coaching team and threatening to unravel as stubborn Simon refused to lie down. "I could have gone to a very dark place in fourth set," Australian, who has a suspension hanging over him following a litany of misdemeaurs on court, mitted. But a column in Herald Sun summed up changing attitude towards temperamental Kyrgios, whose undoubted talent has long been overshowed by rows with spectators and umpires, and accusations that he "tanked" matches.

"He was once our most unpopular sporting export but w he's ufficial people's choice for Australian of Year," said gushing column. It was partly because he was winning matches, first at ATP Cup for home nation and w for himself in Melbourne. But it is more to do with his spearheing efforts to help out those who have suffered in Australia's bushfire trdy, said opinion piece.

country has been battling an unprecedented wave of wildfires since September that have devastated communities, killing at least 29 people and destroying more than 2,000 homes. Players at Australian Open and tournament itself have come up with a variety of ways to donate to a relief fund, but it is Kyrgios who is seen as driving it. "It seems as if in a matter of weeks enfant terrible of Australian tennis has gone from childish brat to voice of reason," column said.

't acceptable from me'

At Melbourne Arena on Thursday Kyrgios could do wrong in front of a partisan and packed crowd for match with Simon. At start of month power-serving Kyrgios pledged Aus$200 (US$205) for every ace he sends down during Australian tennis summer. So after first of his 28 aces, a male voice in crowd shouted out, "Thank you, Nick."

That was followed by a separate, "We love you, Nick." His apology to his coaching team afterwards for berating m was more proof of his growing maturity, said his growing legion of fans. "It's t acceptable from me," said Kyrgios.

But re is always a caveat with colourful Kyrgios and this would t be first time that observers have rushed to proclaim " new Nick". In 2016, Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said that "he's certainly, we've felt, more recently turned corner". But that was followed by more rows with umpires, more thrown chairs and more matches when Kyrgios did t appear to be trying his hardest.

"It's a long journey, it's a long-term journey when it comes to Nick," ded Tiley. It's a journey that, at least for w, Australia and Kyrgios are very happy to be on toger.