Nick Kyrgios ready to lead Australia to Davis Cup final

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is willing to “run through a brick wall” for captain Lleyton Hewitt to ensure his country reaches its first Davis Cup final in 14 years. Kyrgios and Australia will face Belgium in the World Group semi-final at the Babolat French Open All Court in Brussels between Sept. 15 and 17.

Though Kyrgios has had a tumultuous 2017 as a singles competitor, the 22-year-old Canberran has delivered the goods during the premier international team event in men's tennis. In April, Kyrgios, almost singlehandedly, led Australia past Team USA in the World Group quarter-final of the 2017 Davis Cup.

“Davis Cup for me is one of the most important events that I can play. I would love to win one. I’m just a massive fan of team sports and that’s probably the closest thing we’ve got in tennis. I love getting out there with a team and getting behind everyone that I’m close with and trying to get the win for the country obviously," Kyrgios said ahead of Thursday’s draw at the indoor clay court arena in Brussels.

2017 Davis Cup: Nick Kyrgios the No. 1 weapon for Australia

Before crediting captain Hewitt for Australia's resurgence at the world stage, Kyrgios revealed Rusty's impact on his young career. “Rusty (Hewitt) has helped me a lot. I think he’s the best captain we’ve ever had. I know that everyone on our team would run through a brick wall for him. He’s been an unbelievable support for me. I know there have been times this year where I wasn’t doing too well mentally and he’s obviously always been there."

While Kyrgios will be joined by Jordan Thompson, Thanasi Kokkinakis and John Peers, the Belgian team will feature World No. 12 David Goffin, World No. 77 Steve Darcis and World No. 92 Ruben Bemelmans. Kyrgios, the World No. 20, is the only Top-30 ranked player on the Australian team. World No. 70 Jordan Thompson will serve as captain Hewitt's next best weapon.

It will be the fifth meeting between the two nations. Their head-to-head record stands at two wins apiece, but the Belgians prevailed in the last two encounters - in a first-round fixture in 2007 followed by a 2010 World Group play-off victory in Cairns, Australia. Captained by Johan Van Herck, the Belgians will make only their second semi-finals appearance, nearly 18 years after defeating Italy 3-2 in the quarterfinals in Charleroi.

France and Serbia will collide in the other Davis Cup semi-final ahead of November's grand finale. The Belgians enter their tie against Australia as the favourites owing to home conditions.