Millman’s run ends after loss to Murray
Making his Centre Court debut at Wimbledon, John Millman found second seed and home favourite Andy Murray too strong in a straight-sets loss.
John Millman has become the latest Australian to fall victim to British second seed Andy Murray, who ended the Olympic-bound star’s Wimbledon campaign with a straight-sets third-round win.
In 18 matches against Australians at tour level, Murray is yet to be defeated and he took two hours and 11 minutes to keep that perfect record intact on Saturday with a 6-3 7-5 6-2 win that left Millman to lament that the Scot is “bloody good”.
“It was special. I left it all out there. Andy was too good,” Millman said.
“But I will remember it for a long time.”
Murray moves on to a possible fourth-round clash with Australian No.1 Nick Kyrgios, who was locked at a set apiece with Spanish 22nd seed Feliciano Lopez on Saturday night before their match was held over due to poor light.
Millman was far from disgraced, however, in his maiden Wimbledon third-round appearance and had chances to steal the second set from the two-time champion – but couldn’t overcome the new favourite for this year’s title.
“There is a long way to go, isn’t there?” Millman said when quizzed on Murray’s prospects.
“I know Djokovic is out, but you’ve got some very, very good players still in.
“I’m sure everyone senses it’s a slightly better opportunity just because of the high standards that Djokovic has set.”
In an epic 67-minute second set, Millman showed that he can match it with the best in world tennis – saving two set points down 3-5 before breaking Murray to level the scores.
But he would give that break back in a marathon 14-minute 11th game in which he saved four break points, allowing Murray to serve out the set before steamrolling the 27-year-old in the third set.
While Murray is beloved on Centre Court, where he was watched on by the usual mix of tennis tragics, tennis royalty and celebrities such as David Beckham, he didn’t win the biggest cheer of the match.
Nor did Millman – though the 27-year-old made good on his promise to win some of the crowd over during a gutsy performance.
It was news of top seed Novak Djokovic’s shock loss to American Sam Querrey splashed across the big screen that drew the loudest applause.
That result, as well as Murray’s clinical disposal of Millman, will ensure he is a warm favourite to win a second Wimbledon title this year.