Brisbane QLD, Australia, 6 January 2018 | AAP

The last time Nick Kyrgios watched a Brisbane International final, idol Lleyton Hewitt claimed a shock title win.

Four years later, the Australian No.1 hopes to join his hero on the winner’s list after upsetting world No.3 Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals to earn his first ATP tour final berth on home spoil.

Kyrgios with the casual winner: pic.twitter.com/0sQU9mDAgy

— 7Sport (@7SportAU) January 6, 2018

Kyrgios – ranked 18 spots lower than the Bulgarian – overcame another slow start to oust the defending champion 3-6 6-1 6-4 and book a Sunday final against unseeded American Ryan Harrison.

Third seed Kyrgios’ ranking will move to 18 after reaching the final and climb to 17 if he disposes of Harrison.

https://twitter.com/7tennis/status/949540976061591552

But the 22-year-old reckons there’s a much bigger prize on offer – joining Hewitt on Brisbane’s winners list four years after cheering him on to an upset victory over Roger Federer.