By Jamie Berry
Australian John Millman has shown plenty of heart in his fourth-round US Open match against world No.2 Roger Federer, stunning the Swiss maestro in four sets to progress to the quarter-finals where another heavyweight fight looms.
The 29-year-old, who was born in Brisbane and is currently ranked 55th in the world, was up two sets to one against Federer and prevailed in a gripping fourth-set tie-break to win 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-3) in a match that went for more than three-and-a-half hours. It was his first win against an opponent in a top-10 player.
The unseeded Millman will play Novak Djokovic, who easily accounted Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 earlier in the day.
Despite being ranked sixth in the world, Djokovic was successful at Wimbledon in July, dropping just four sets en route to a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) rout of South African Kevin Anderson in the final to notch his 13th grand slam singles title.
Leading up to the grasscourt grand slam tournament, Djokovic beat Millman in the Fever-Tree Championships in London 6-2, 6-1 in June.
The Australian said he froze in the first set – “felt like a deer in the headlights to begin with, to be honest” – but was able to take control by relying on his fighting qualities.
“I’m probably in a little bit of disbelief. I have so much respect for Roger and everything he’s done for the game,” Millman told ESPN after the match.
“He’s a hero of mine. Today he was not at his best but I’ll take it.”
Millman may not be a huge name in men’s tennis currently, but Federer said he was an admirer before the pair’s clash.
“I’m a big fan of John,” said Federer, who was chasing a sixth title in New York. “Maybe not that many people know him, but he’s a real hard-working guy out there and those are the guys who have all the respect from us top players in the locker room.
“He’s just come to Switzerland to train with me before the grass-court season so we know each other quite well, a super friendly guy, and I’m very happy for him that he’s gotten so far.”
Before his match against Federer, Millman had amassed more than $US443,000 ($614,000) in prizemoney this year, for a career total of $US1.85 million.
In late July, he entered the world’s top 50, climbing to a career-high ranking of No.49.
with AAP