Australian Open: Millmania cranks up for Federer clash

John Millman gets a chance to repeat his miracle win over Roger Federer in the US Open at Melbourne Park on Friday.

Australia's John Millman hits a return against Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz

The stars aligned for John Millman in famous fashion against Roger Federer in New York in 2018 when he shocked the Swiss superstar and rocked a New York crowd full of celebrities.

But the Australian is well aware that if he is to topple the Federer on Friday in the Australian Open’s third round, he will need to produce the finest tennis of his life.

“I am going to definitely be the underdog,” he said.

“No doubt about it, the stars aligned for me one night at Flushing Meadows, but Roger is one of the greatest ever.”

The Queenslander will enter the match against the six-time Australian Open champion with confidence after producing a second strong victory in successive days in Melbourne.

After beating recent New Zealand Open winner Ugo Humbert on Tuesday, Millman defeated 31st seed Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-4 7-5 6-3 in 2hr 28min on Melbourne Arena.

Considering Hurkacz defeated quality performers Dominic Thiem, Diego Schwartzman and Borna Coric at the recent ATP Cup, it was a superb win by the 30-year-old.

John Millman points to his head during his win at the Australian Open

Federer is a massive step up in class but Millman will fancy his hopes of springing another significant surprise.

The 20-time major winner has won two of their three outings. The first was a tight three-set encounter in Brisbane in 2015. The second was at Halle on grass in June.

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But there was that magical night in New York where the stars truly aligned. On that occasion, Federer effectively melted in stifling conditions as Millman succeeded 3-6 7-5 7-6 (7) 7-6 (3).

“Roger is obviously a class act. The way I see it is, you take a few snapshots and have a few memorable moments ... where you can look back and think, that was pretty cool,” Millman said.

“I played some really, really great tennis and he probably didn’t play his best tennis and I managed to do something not many people thought I could do.

“It was an awesome experience but I do know that that doesn’t count for anything now. Between now and then, I am going to have to do everything right and I am going to have to improve on my performance . . . but at least I know a little bit what to expect.

“If lightning strikes twice, I wouldn’t say no to it.”

Roger Federer shakes hands with John Millman after their 2018 US Open clash

The Swiss champion, who had a brief concentration lapse in the second set on the way to a 6-1 6-4 6-1 win over Serbian Filip Krajinovic, is well aware of the threat posed by the Australian. He praised Millman as one of the hardest working players on tour.

“He is a great guy. I have practised a lot against him. I almost passed out when I played him in New York City. It was so hot. He had no problem. He is from Queensland,” he said.

“He is an unbelievably tough opponent. There are not many guys who are fitter than him out there, and those are the guys I respect the most, actually.”

Roger Federer had another strong win, this time over Serbian Filip Krajinovic in the second round

Federer, 38, has started the season in strong form. He was able to break his rival several times despite Krajinovic landing 90 per cent of his first serves over the opening two sets.

“It is a great start to the season so far. I am feeling really relaxed out on court,” he said.

“You train hard and you hope that all pays off.”

Millman was forced to dig into his deep well of mental strength in the first set against Hurkacz .

At one point , the Australian repeatedly pointed to his forehead.

It was a signal of the self-belief he possesses, making the gesture of defiance within sight of his opponent, who had twice led the Australian by a break, only to be reeled in ­immediately.

By the third set, the 31st seed had been driven to distraction by the resilience and sustained ­excellence of the crowd favourite. Hurkacz thumped his Yonex racquet into his thighs twice and then into his head as he walked to the chair appearing like a broken man at 3-0.

Millman was the first Australian man to reach the third round, an effort that matches his career-best performance in Melbourne in 2016.

After an outstanding victory on Tuesday, Melburnian Marc Polmans was unable to match the deed when he fell to 24th seed Dusan Lajovic 6-2 6-4 6-3.

Nick Kyrgios heads the Australian charge in men’s ranks on Thursday when he plays French veteran Gilles Simon in a night match on Melbourne Arena.

Sydneysider Alexei Popyrin will bid to reach the third round for the second year in succession against Spaniard Jaume Munar on Court 3.

South Australian Alex Bolt will adopt a simple philosophy he ­believes has the potential to cause Austrian star Dominic Thiem some grief.

Bolt, who showed huge fight in a stirring five set win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas on Tuesday, is well aware of the prowess of Thiem.

The Austrian is a dual-French Open finalist who burnished his hard court credentials when claiming Indian Wells last March.

But the left-hander feels he has the capability to cause a significant Australian Open upset.

“I don’t think I have to change much,” he said.

“I feel like the way I play is going to take it to most guys in the world and if I can stick to my guns, I think I am going to cause him some grief.”