- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Roger Federer’s respect for his next Australian Open opponent John Millman is enough to bring the Swiss great back to earth after his second-round masterclass.
Federer was unstoppable in his Round 2 match against Serbian Filip Krajinovic, taking just over an hour and a half to nail a 6-1 6-4 6-1 victory.
The third seed barely put a foot wrong with the Rod Laver crowd with commentators also in raptures after a performance that included 42 winners.
But attention quickly turned to Federer’s match-up with Millman, who also had a straight-sets second-round win over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
The Australian famously ousted the 20-time major champion in the Round of 16 at the 2018 US Open, winning in four sets 3-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (7-3).
The result is one Federer hasn’t forgotten.
“I almost passed out when I played out against him in New York,” the 38-year-old said.
“It was so hot but he had no problem as he’s from Queensland, so he was like normal stuff.”
The pair have met a two other times while Federer has got the result, they have always been tight affairs.
Federer said he had practised a lot with world No.47 Millman and rated him as one of the fittest players on the tour.
“He’s a super good guy and an unbelievably tough opponent,” he said.
“There’s not many guys fitter than him out there and those are the guys I respect the most, actually, because he gets the most out of the game.”
© AAP
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.