Shanghai, China, 9 October 2019 | tennis.com.au

John Millman on Tuesday won through to the second round of the ATP Shanghai Masters with a straight-sets win over Guido Pella.

Millman beat the Argentine 6-3 7-5, saving a set point in the 10th game of the second set to close out his win in one hour, 51 minutes, saving all seven break points he faced.

He will next face Andrey Rublev on Wednesday afternoon for a place in the last 16, after the Russian defeated 12th seed Borna Coric 6-4 7-6(4).

Millman last week reached the final of the ATP tournament in Tokyo as a qualifier, a run which this week boosted his ranking from 80th to No.58.

The Queenslander was thus awarded a “special exempt” or “SE” entry into the Shanghai Masters, given he was entered into the qualifying draw in Shanghai but unable to contest it given he was still in Tokyo.

Millman has won 12 of his past 14 matches and improved his ranking 37 places in the last month.

Fellow Australian Alex de Minaur was unable to join Millman in the second round; he went down 7-6(1) 6-4 to 16th seed John Isner.