The potential of Nick Kyrgios has long been undeniable. After defeating three Top 10 players and a three-time Grand Slam champion in Stan Wawrinka to win the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC, it’s even more apparent Kyrgios has the game to crack the Top 10 — and beyond — of the ATP Rankings.

But does the Aussie see himself as a Top 10 player?

“I went jet skiing at 5:30 p.m. (before playing Alexander Zverev in the final), so I don’t think that’s what a Top 10 player would do,” said Kyrgios.

Although his pre-match preparation wasn’t conventional, clinching the title in Acapulco appeared to spark a shift in thinking. If he can beat two Top 3 players in the same week, while going jet skiing hours before a championship match, what could he do if he fully applied himself?

“I’m very lucky to be in this position. I need to be way more disciplined, way better professionally and do the right things,” said Kyrgios. “I don’t even have a coach, so maybe I start there.”

Even before his latest realisation, Kyrgios’ mental shift throughout the week wasn’t lost on fans in Acapulco. At times, they weren’t shy to voice their displeasure. But in Saturday’s final against Zverev, the Centre Court crowd chanted his name and loudly applauded his eye-raising winners.

It was an experience that Kyrgios won’t forget anytime soon.

“The crowd created the atmosphere every day. It was the best atmosphere I’ve ever played in. They were booing me and I still enjoyed playing and being here,” said Kyrgios. “They created the emotions, the memories, the event. It was amazing.”

Kyrgios feeds off the energy around him more than most players and his success in Acapulco will only create positive vibes as he heads to the BNP Paribas Open. With minimal ATP Rankings points to defend for the next three months, he’s in a prime position to continue his feel-good comeback of 2019.

“It’s hopefully an example for people who are struggling and getting in some places you don’t think you can get out of. If I can do it, you can do it,” said Kyrgios. “I was really down and out and didn’t know what I was going to do, but you have a week like this and things can change.”

They have both lifted trophies on the ATP Tour, but on Sunday, Kyle Edmund and Andrey Rublev will duel for a piece of Challenger silverware. The stage is set for a highly entertaining clash as the British No. 1 squares off against the 21-year-old Russian star.

Edmund, who celebrated his maiden ATP Tour title in Antwerp last year, will meet 2017 Umag champ Rublev for just the second time in their budding careers. Their lone previous encounter came in qualifying of the 2015 Irving Challenger, which Edmund clinched 6-1, 6-4.

Both the Brit and the Russian are hoping their respective runs to final in Indian Wells will propel them to ATP Masters 1000 success in the coming weeks. In search of match play and confidence, Edmund is returning from a knee injury while Rublev is battling back from a persistent back ailment. Their strong performances in the desert are encouraging signs as they look to return to form and continue their ATP Rankings assaults.

Edmund, who sits at No. 27, advanced to the final with a three-set victory over Lloyd Harris. Rublev, meanwhile, will return to the Top 100 with a victory on Sunday. The former World No. 31 lifted his lone Challenger trophy three years ago in Quimper, France.

Argentines Federico Delbonis and Maximo Gonzalez retained the Brasil Open crown on Saturday, defeating Brits Luke Bambridge and Jonny O’Mara 6-4, 6-3 in 62 minutes to win their second title as a team.

It is Delbonis’ third Sao Paulo triumph, as he also was victorious in singles five years ago. Gonzalez reached the doubles final in all four ‘Golden Swing’ events — at Cordoba, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo — this year, lifting the trophy in three straight events (finalist in Cordoba) with three different partners.

Delbonis and Gonzalez did not drop a set in this ATP 250 event, winning six of their eight sets by a margin of 6-4 or greater. The compatriots are now 9-2 as a tandem. The Argentines leave Brazil with 250 ATP Doubles Ranking points and a share of $31,300.

The battle was won on first serves. Delbonis and Gonzalez lost just two points (23/25) on their first deliveries, while Bambridge and O’Mara were able to win only 69 per cent (23/32) of their first-serve points. The Argentines broke four times in the match, while they were broken just once.

It was still a strong week for Bambridge and O’Mara, who also reached the final of the Tata Open Maharashtra in Pune to start the season. The Brits captured titles in Eastbourne and Stockholm last year. They add 150 points to their tallies and split $15,940 in prize money.

Did You Know?
Since the Brasil Open started in 2001, the Delbonis/Gonzalez pairing is the only all-Argentine team to lift the doubles trophy.