Millman makes grand slam history with incredible Federer feat
John Millman has stunned Roger Federer with a feat only one other Australian has ever achieved.
Millman and Federer did battle in the US Open fourth round on Tuesday (AEST), with a shot at Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals on the line.
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The Swiss Maestro stamped his authority early, taking the first set 6-3.
It looked like Millman was in for a short night until he shocked the World No.2 by taking the second set 7-5, the first set Federer has dropped all tournament.
Federer served for the set at 5-4, but the Aussie veteran managed to break back, before breaking again at 6-5 to take the set.
The impressive achievement made Millman just the fifth Australian in history to win a set against Federer at grand slam level, joining Pat Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt, Wayne Arthurs and Sam Groth.
Australians to take at least one set off #Federer at a Slam…
Rafter
Arthurs
Hewitt
Groth@johnhmillman #USOpen— Joshua Kay (@js_kay) September 4, 2018
But Millman wasn’t done there, sending the tennis world into meltdown by winning the third set in a tiebreak.
It’s just the second time in grand slam history that an Australian player has won two sets against Federer.
The only other time it occurred was in 1999 when Rafter beat an 18-year-old Federer at the French Open.
The tennis world went absolutely nuts over the unexpected turn of events.
What the heck is going on?!
Federer broken twice in a row having been 40-15 up in both games and Millman has levelled this match by taking the second set 7-5.
Have to say that was thoroughly deserved for the Aussie. Federer has been so out of sorts in this set…
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) September 4, 2018
Imagine if you could combine the heart/fighting spirit of Millman with the talent of Kyrgios into the one Aussie tennis player. He'd be world no.1. #Millmania #USOpenTennis #USOpen2018 🇦🇺 🎾
— Greg Davis (@GregDavis_cmail) September 4, 2018
What a fighter! Millman is back in business, taking the second set 7-5 and has Federer on the ropes 💪#GoAussies #USOpen pic.twitter.com/IJbD20tD12
— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) September 4, 2018
WOW.
Roger Federer served for the second set, but John Millman breaks the No. 2 seed twice to even the match at 3-6, 7-5.
Can the 🇦🇺 stun the five-time #USOpen champion? pic.twitter.com/oDkGUdRFt4
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) September 4, 2018
He's done it! John Millman has taken a set off the Fed Express!
🇦🇺 3 7
🇨🇭 6 5 #USOpen #MillMania pic.twitter.com/j0bsVDhrRU— NedsAU (@NedsAus) September 4, 2018
Millman in this match up to his eyeballs. #USOpen
— Ace Tennis Previews (@Ace_Previews) September 4, 2018
Roger Federer served at 5-4, 40-15—and goes on to lose the second set to John Millman, 7-5. It's one set all on a humid night, and Roger is well off his game at the moment. He's made just 36% of first serves, has hit seven double faults and has 37 unforced errors. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/4G8ZWxo7X5
— TENNIS.com (@Tennis) September 4, 2018
Great fight by Millman. Can’t remember Fed self destructing like that though. 40-15 up his last two service games that set, gets broken in both. Wow! Someone check on @phillutton78
— Jon Tuxworth (@Tuxy81) September 4, 2018
Stunningly #Federer drops the second set against Millman after being on cruise control. Reset, Rog @usopen
— Adnan Virk, ESPN (@adnanESPN) September 4, 2018
That was a stinker of a game from Federer. Wastes two set points from 40-15 and is broken by Millman, who finally converts a BP at the ninth time of asking.
5-5 second set.
— George Bellshaw (@BellshawGeorge) September 4, 2018
Yikes. #RogerFederer just dropped the second set to Millman. Looks like it’s gonna be a later night than I had hoped. 😣 #USOpen #TeamFederer
— Daina Falk (@TheHungryFan) September 4, 2018
Millman was quietly confidence heading into the match, not just from breaking into the world’s top 50 after a career-best season, but also a near miss against the great Swiss in Brisbane three years ago.
The Queenslander had Federer on the ropes before letting slip the chance to claim the biggest scalp of his career in front of friends and family.
A huge underdog, Millman is nevertheless intent on not letting his latest opportunity slip by without an almighty fight.
with AAP
