Millman secures win despite nearly 'blowing it'

Australian John Millman is done to the 2nd circular of the Australian Open aft defeating Spaniard Feliciano Lopez successful 4 sets, 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

After taking the opening 2 sets comfortably, Millman, who past twelvemonth crashed retired during the archetypal round, contiguous was forced into a grinding lucifer with his 40-year-old and 109-ranked opponent.

Millman looked to beryllium successful occupation pursuing a worrying 3rd acceptable erstwhile Lopez yet broke done and was successful power of his serve.

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But precocious successful the 4th set, Millman excelled erstwhile it mattered most, connected Lopez's last work crippled to unafraid the match.

John Millman of Australia reacts aft winning a constituent successful his archetypal circular singles lucifer against Feliciano Lopez of Spain (Getty)

Millman admitted aft the lucifer that helium thought helium whitethorn person "blown it" aft helium was incapable to capitalise connected respective breakpoints during a tightly contested 4th set.

"He (Lopez) started landing that archetypal service successful the 3rd and the 4th acceptable and against those guys you lone get 1 oregon 2 opportunities," Millman said during his on-court interview.

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"I thought possibly I had blown it a small spot successful that 4th acceptable - I had a mates of small breakpoints but helium had immoderate large serves nether unit ... the assemblage got down me.

"The past 18 months for an Australian tennis subordinate has been utmost and challenging.

"I cognize the radical of Melbourne and the radical of Australia person been successful and retired of lockdowns. I was feeling for them ... to beryllium capable to present travel retired and person crowds utilizing their energy, it is great. It is fantastic.

"It truly gets you going particularly aft a truly mean commencement to the twelvemonth that I've had. It is truly bully to get a win."

The Australian volition look the victor of German superstar Alexander Zverev and Daniel Altmaier.

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