'Courageous' Millman bows out in five set epic
A “courageous” John Millman has gone out of the Australian Open swinging after falling just short of a remarkable comeback on Wednesday night.
Millman failed to replicate his US Open quarter-final heroics, falling in the Australian Open second round to Roberto Bautista Agut.
WAR OF WORDS: Kyrgios launches fiery Twitter tirade at critics
‘GIANT KILLER’: Aussie youngster’s huge upset leaves fans in a spin
‘MATCH OF HIS LIFE’: Federer rival hailed after exceptional performance
‘I’LL KNOCK HIM OUT’: Shock details emerge in Hewitt-Tomic feud
The Spanish party-pooper, who also eliminated Andy Murray in round one, outlasted the Australian No.2 6-4-6-1 3-6 6-7 (8-6) 6-4.
The much-loved Aussie failed to give up after going down two sets to love, wowing the Melbourne Park faithful with his never-say-die attitude.
Millman had the home crowd on their feet in Margaret Court Arena after saving four match points to win the fourth set, but couldn’t go the distance.
Despite the heartbreaking conclusion to the match for Millman, fans flooded social media to applaud the Aussie’s fighting spirit.
Johnie Millman brings the house down with a huge tiebreak win!
5th set here we come 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺#Millmania #9WWOS #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/RaaDjWP24Z
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 16, 2019
Such an amazing fight back from Millman, tough to see him go on to lose it but amazing for him to have pushed it to five at least. What a guy 👏🏻 #AusOpen
— Victoria (@yeahvictoriaaa_) January 16, 2019
Wow what a marathon … 63 61 36 67 64 was the score to Roberto Bautista Agut, he has defeated a courageous John Millman in 3 hrs 48 mins. That's two 5 setters for the spaniard in first 2 rounds.
— Craig Gabriel (@crosscourt1) January 16, 2019
Done good, fought strong, Millman. Busted a gut, but couldn't bust Agut. Solid match 👏 #Millmania #AusOpen
— oneeyedtiger_ (@oneeyedtiger_) January 16, 2019
Good effort millman, what a fighter! #ausopen
— Jarrod Kurpiel (@Jarrodkurpiel) January 16, 2019
Tough luck #Millman you put up a hell of a fight as did #BautistaAgut was a great match to watch on the telly
— Hails (@Htotheaylee) January 16, 2019
Great match #millman you should be proud #AusOpen
— Rebecca Hamilton (@Rebecca_A1985) January 16, 2019
Millman looked like he would be rolled in straight sets with the Spaniard dominating the early exchanges.
But the Queenslander found his groove in the third and worked his way back into the match.
Millman broke to lead 5-3 in the fourth before the tenacious Bautista Agut clawed his way back to take the set into a tiebreak.
The Spaniard led the tie-break 6-2 but Millman wouldn’t surrender and delivered a forehand winner to seal a thrilling set.
Bautista Agut got the break in the fifth to lead 4-2 and maintained that advantage before serving out the match.
With AAP