Tennis-'I've come of age': Smitten Kyrgios turns up heat at Indian Wells

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 20, 2022 Australia's Nick Kyrgios in action during his second round match against Russia's Daniil Medvedev REUTERS/Morgan Sette

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (Reuters) - A smiling, smitten Nick Kyrgios said he has never felt better following his first round win at Indian Wells - and made it clear girlfriend Costeen Hatzi is a big reason why he feels he has come of age.

The Australian, who gave a hilarious cooking demonstration at a Citibank-sponsored tennis dinner prior to the tournament, turned up the heat again on Thursday, overwhelming young Argentine Sebastian Baez 6-4 6-0 in a little over an hour.