Millman too strong for Tomic

JOHN Millman has earned himself a career-high ranking with a crushing victory over Bernard Tomic in the all-Australian final of the Open du Pays d’Aix Challenger event in Provence.

Top-seeded Millman will climb 12 spots to world No.58 after downing Tomic 6-1, 6-2, to claim the $200,000 clay-court title in the south of France.

Rain delayed the final and forced the match indoors to a hard court, but Millman made up for lost time by sweeping aside his fellow Queenslander in just 48 minutes.

“That doesn’t normally happen but due to the weather they had to [move the final indoors],” Millman told reporters after crunching nine aces and breaking Tomic’s serve four times.

“Obviously, it was important to get a good start due to the change of conditions.

“It was important to serve well indoors and back myself from the back of the court.”

A finalist at last month’s Hungarian Open, Millman’s success continues his impressive form ahead of the French Open starting in two weeks.

“Very happy with the preparations for Roland Garros,” he said.

“I wanted to come to Europe early to give myself the best chance going into the tournament and I’m really happy with how I’m playing.”

The 29-year-old will continue his build-up this week as top seed at another Challenger event in Heilbronn, Germany.