The serve, the net play, the powerful forehand. It was all there, maybe this time a Nick Kyrgios comeback will last more than a fortnight.
That will depend on how his body reacts to 69 minutes on court in Stuttgart, and whether it allows the Australian to back up the impressive defeat of world No.36 Corentin Moutet 6-3 6-4.
Now 31 Kyrgios is young enough to have several more years on tour, if he has the mental desire and physical capability.
For now he is believed to be looking no further than the grasscourt season and another crack at Wimbledon, where he was a finalist in 2022, before the injuries began.
The defeat of Moutet was a good start even if it it was a good time to play the Frenchman who had lost his last five matches.
