Cincinnati, OH, USA, 16 August 2016 | Matt Trollope

Nick Kyrgios produced a trademark service display to seal his place in the second round of the ATP Cincinnati Masters on Monday night.

The Australian was too strong for France’s Lucas Pouille, sealing a 6-2 7-5 victory with an ace – his 16th of the evening.

The win sets up a battle with fellow young gun Borna Coric, who a day earlier saw off Benoit Paire in three sets.

Kyrgios began the match solidly, steady from the baseline as Pouille misfired.

Treated for a blood nose at the changeover after the seventh game, Kyrgios returned to the court relatively unimpeded and served out the set.

It was closer in the second set, but as the clock neared midnight local time, Kyrgios made his move.

The 14th seed produced a sizzling backhand passing shot winner up the line and celebrated animatedly as he broke for a 6-5 lead.

BOOM! @NickKyrgios comes to life with a brilliant backhand pass to break @CincyTennis. #ATP https://t.co/BmumqVcmrF https://t.co/ABn8XPE5ID

— TennisTV (@TennisTV) August 16, 2016

He served out the match with little fuss, finishing it with 29 winners (compared to just 14 errors) and four of six points won at net.

“He’s a great player, he’s had a great year, made a couple of great runs. Obviously coming off the quarterfinals at Wimbledon. He would have drawn a lot of confidence from that and he’s a great player, so I knew it was going to be tough,” Kyrgios said.

“I’m really surprised by the scoreline. I played really well. But today maybe wasn’t his best day.

“I’m just happy to get through.”

The Australian, who won the recent hardcourt title in Atlanta, is riding a five-match winning streak.

He won his only meeting with Coric earlier this year on clay in Estoril.