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Aussie underdog beats tennis great Federer in spectacular US Open showdown

Sep 04, 2018

John Millman beat Roger Federer in the US Open match. Source: Getty.

Aussie underdog John Millman has achieved one of the most shocking results in US Open history after beating legendary player Roger Federer in an incredible showdown.

In what is now the 29-year-old’s biggest match of his career, Queenslander Millman – who is world number 55 – shot to victory and won 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 7-6 in four sets. Millman will now move through to the quarter-final clash with Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic.

Speaking of his shock after his victory, the Mail Online reports Millman said: “I have so much respect for Roger and everything he’s done,” before adding: “I got out of a tough second set, found my feet and think I served really well.”

He put his overall win down to his fighting spirit and added: “The one thing I can control is the fight in me, I’ve always done that in my career, always always pulled the fight out.”

The overall match had major ups and downs for Federer, with many spectators commenting on a series of missed serves compared to his usual stellar performances.

Absolutely stunning upset as @johnhmillman defeats Federer 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6 under the lights in Arthur Ashe Stadium!

Millman's first top ten victory lands him a spot in the QF against Djokovic…#USOpen pic.twitter.com/4DPEOJpJw7

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 4, 2018

It’s the first time Millman has defeated a top-10 opponent, but Federer has always been a big supporter of his opponent. Claiming he is a “big fan of John”, the world number two praised the Aussie during an interview published by The Australian before their match, labelling him a friendly and hardworking guy.

“Those are the guys who get a lot of respect from the top players in the locker room. We know each other quite well. He is a super friendly guy and I am so happy for him that he has come so far, but now I will try to stop him,” he said.

Fresh off beating Roger Federer at 1AM ET, John Millman says he has a 7AM fantasy draft and is unsure if he should select Todd Gurley or Le’Veon Bell. pic.twitter.com/m8Wpg4XxFl

— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) September 4, 2018

Unlike some of the other Aussie young guns such as Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic who have gained a lot of negative attention, Millman has made a name for himself as the “nice guy”.

Defeating Mikhail Kukushkin 6-4, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 previously, the young Aussie had to be booted off the court because there were so many people lining up for autographs and photographs.

Meanwhile, it hasn’t all been bad news for Federer, as he impressed fans with one of his best shots to date during his last match against Kyrgios, leaving the Aussie player absolutely gobsmacked.

The 37-year-old managed to pull off an around-the-net-post forehand winner. Shooting the ball at an acute angle, inches from the ground, Federer managed to slice it round the edge of the net and landed it in court in front of a shocked Kyrgios who was seen gasping: “Oh my God”.

Despite the applause and gasps from the crowd, as well as his opponent, Federer appeared as cool and calm as ever as he flashed a small smile and walked back to the end of the court ready to commence play again.

“It was almost unreal,” Kyrgios reportedly said after the match, adding: “If anyone else is doing those shots against me, I’m probably not too happy. But it’s Roger.”