NEW YORK, September 4, 2018
John Millman, who appeared in a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time, knocked out No. 2 seed Roger Federer in Monday’s night session of the US Open. The World No. 55 from Australia outpointed the Swiss maestro 162-154 to secure a 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7), 7-6(3) in three hours and 34 minutes.
Absolutely stunning upset as @johnhmillman defeats Federer 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6 under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium!
Millman’s first top ten victory lands him a spot in the QF against Djokovic…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/4DPEOJpJw7
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 4. September 2018
Millman took the first set before falling to Federer at his hometown tournament in Brisbane three years ago. The 29-year-old Australian was down to No. 235 in the ATP Rankings one year ago after undergoing groin surgery. He began his rise back up the rankings by reaching the 2017 US Open third round. Millman, who broke into the Top 50 on 23 July, is projected to crack the Top 40 next week.
“I felt like a deer in the headlights to begin with; Roger had it on a string, he was manipulating me around the court, but I got out of a tough second set and really found my feet,” Millman said on court after the match. “I started to be more aggressive and I started to serve well and capitalised a little bit on Roger having an off service day.”
Millman has become the first Aussie to defeat Federer at a Grand Slam since Pat Rafter in 1999 and will next take on Novak Djokovic.
Men’s QF are set:
🇪🇸Nadal 🆚 Thiem🇦🇹
🇦🇷Del Potro 🆚 Isner🇺🇸
__________________________🇭🇷Cilic 🆚 Nishikori🇯🇵
🇷🇸Djokovic 🆚 Millman🇦🇺#USOpen
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) 4. September 2018
Federer suffers from the heat
“I just thought it was very hot tonight,” said Federer. “It was just one of those nights where I guess I felt I couldn’t get air. There was no circulation at all. For some reason I just struggled in the conditions tonight. It’s one of the first times it’s happened to me.
“John was able to deal with it better. He maybe comes from one of the most humid places on earth, Brisbane. I knew I was in for a tough one. Maybe when you feel like that, as well, you start missing chances, and I had those. That was disappointing. But at some point, also, I was just happy that the match was over.”
