Bernard Tomic has survived an early onslaught from big-serving American Sam Querrey to move into the second round of the Brisbane International.

Tomic will now face teenage sensation Thanasi Kokkinakis in a tantalising all-Australian clash after overcoming Querrey 7-5 7-6 (7/5) at Pat Rafter Arena.

He got there despite a disastrous start, with a seemingly possessed Querrey breaking in the first game and surging to a 4-2 advantage with a flurry of eight aces in the first set – including a stretch of five in a row.

But Tomic showed great character to fight back and stage a remarkable recovery, winning 16 of the last 17 points to hijack the set and send his home crowd – and his box – into raptures.

It was a significant turnaround given the mental demons he has long battled in his professional career, and a good sign ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on January 19.

Tomic slowly took control of the baseline rallies with his powerful forehand though the powerful Querrey, number 35 in the world, continued to produce aces at vital moments, finishing with 20 for the match.

Neither player could produce a break in a tense second set, but Tomic’s forehand eventually helped him craft the opportunity he needed to win the game in the tiebreak and kickstart his first tournament in Brisbane since 2012.

The win maintains Tomic’s perfect record over Querrey, who has failed to move past the second round at the Brisbane International in four attempts.

The match began at 10.40pm on Monday, pushed back by Karolina Pliskova’s epic three-hour upset victory over Victoria Azarenka in the earlier game on the main court.