Millman gets through
goldcoastbulletin.com.au
BRISBANE’S John Millman overcame a line-call dispute and dogged Italian Stefano Travaglia yesterday morning to save Australia from a firstday Wimbledon wipeout.
Millman battled back from a set down to advance with a 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 7-5, 6-2 victory after Jordan Thompson, Jason Kubler, John-Patrick Smith and Ajla Tomljanovic all bombed out in the first round.
The 29-year-old was livid after letting a 4-1 first-set lead slip and took his frustrations out on the official before regrouping to prevail after 2hr 45min on court.
“I thought I probably wasn’t getting the rub of the green and this is high-stakes stuff,” Millman said. “So I’m happy with how I composed myself and managed to get back into it with a bit of momentum.”
Millman’s victory set up a showdown with 2016 finalist Milos Raonic, a 7-5, 6-0, 6-1 winner over British wildcard Liam Broady.
After drawing Rafael Nadal in the first round last year, Millman has returned to the All England Club with a career-high ranking of No.56 in the world after a rare injury-free run.
Having also played eventual champion Andy Murray in Round 3 two years ago, he isn’t daunted by the prospect of a show court match-up with Raonic and the 13th seed’s thunderous serve.
“I feel as though I’m playing good enough tennis to make a real match of it,” he said.