US Open 2018: 3 things we learned from Roger Federer’s defeat to John Millman

#3 Australian tennis is much more than just Nick Kyrgios

John Millman had a day to remember

The Roger Federer vs Nick Kyrgios third round showdown hogged the headlines as the world sniffed of a possible upset. That match turned out to be a whimper after all the hype and even had Federer producing the ‘shot of the tournament’ as the 20-time Major winner made short work of his 23-year-old rival.

It was instead John Millman, a 29-year-old Australian journeyman, who stole the show. Currently placed at 55th, he has never been ranked anything higher than 49th. He also doesn’t even have an ATP title on his resume.

But it was the underdog, who produced a stunning display of resilience against someone, who has been hailed by many as the greatest player to have ever touched a racquet. Millman was about to go two sets to love down with the Swiss holding a couple of set points in the second set, from where he stormed back into the match to ensure that he became the first man outside the top 50 to beat Federer at the Flushing Meadows.

Millman is the No. 4 Australian in the men’s singles world rankings after Kyrgios, Alex de Minaur and Matthew Ebden. But, on the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, he fought toe-to-to-toe with his much-fancied rival and eked out a win, despite having gone down a break in the fourth set -- a reward for his patience, persistence and self-belief.