Millman looking beyond to Tokyo Olympics

TENNIS: Making the 2020 Tokyo

Olympic Games is John Millman’s overriding tennis ambition as the Queenslander chases a fourth-round berth at Wimbledon.

Due to face American Sam Querrey on Saturday (local time), Millman is desperate to represent Australia at his second Games after contesting the Rio Olympics in 2016.

As the current fourth-ranked Australian player behind Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson and Nick Kyrgios, Millman needs to boost his ranking from Nono.59 to leapfrog his way into selection.

“It’d be nice obviously to go on a run here at Wimbledon, and in the American hard-court swing,” he said after beating the 31st seed, Serbia’s Laslo Djere, 6-3

6-2 6-1.

“I’d love to give myself a chance to even qualify for the Olympics again – that would be something that would be really special.

“It’s very competitive, especially among the Australian boys. That’s something that’sthats probably in the back of my mind a little more than what’s gonna happen in a month or two’s time.”

Millman created history in Rio, flogging Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis 6-0 6-0 before losing to Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

The US Open quarter-finalist is bracing for a severe test from Querrey.

“He’s a really good grass-court player and he’s dangerous right now after making the final of Eastbourne and then obviously he’s been dominant in his two matches (this week),” Millman said. THIRD ROUND Men’s singles Women’s singles

“He’s got a really bigbig, powerful gamegame. He’s got a really big serve.”

Alex de Minaur was distraught following a 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 3-6 6-3 loss to American Steve Johnson after converting only three of 10 break point chances.

“It’s a tough one to swallow, one of those matches where you come off the court and you still don’t know how it didn’t end up going your way,” he said.

“Look at the stats ... I lost 6-3 in the fifth, yet I won more points (150-149).”

— Leo Schlink