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 - 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.
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.
"I just remember one year where Rusty (Hewitt) won his final - that was probably the last time I watched a final here," Kyrgios said.
"It would be pretty cool to have my name next to his.
"It would be really good (to win a home title). I haven't won one in Australia before.
"I've got pretty fond memories here so it would be good to keep adding (to them)."
Showing no signs of discomfort from his strapped left knee, Kyrgios became the first Australian to appear in a Brisbane final since Hewitt after ending the 26-year-old Dimitrov's seven-match winning streak stretching back from 2017.
He will take on world No.47 Harrison who ended Australian wildcard Alex de Minaur's giant killing run with a three set semi-final win on Saturday.
Kyrgios will appear in his seventh overall ATP final and vie for his first title since Tokyo 2016 and fourth of career.
And he will no doubt back himself on Sunday after earning his first career win on his third attempt against Dimitrov.
Yet the Bulgarian looked like extending his unbeaten streak to three matches against Kyrgios at Pat Rafter Arena on Saturday.
The top seed broke in the sixth game to win the first set in 30 minutes.
Then Kyrgios flicked the switch.
He slotted seven aces and 15 winners to overwhelm Dimitrov and take the second set in 29 minutes.
A forehand error by Dimitrov gifted Kyrgios the break in the seventh game of the third and the Australian didn't look back.
"He played a pretty solid first set. I played a pretty loose game to get broken and then, pretty much from then on, I felt in control of the match," Kyrgios said.
"It feels good. Obviously, it's a confidence boost for me (before the Australian Open)."
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