Roger Federer stunned by 55th-ranked John Millman at US Open 4th round, will not face Novak Djokovic in dream quarter final
First time in New York that Swiss star has been knocked out by player outside the top 50 while Australian says he caught 20-time slam winner on an off day
Looking slow and tired on a sweltering night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No 2-seeded Federer double-faulted 10 times, failed to convert a trio of set points and lost 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (3) in the fourth round to John Millman in a match that began Monday and concluded at nearly 1am on Tuesday.
It’s only the second time in Federer’s past 14 appearances at the US Open that he is lost before the quarter-finals. He is, after all, a five-time champion at the tournament, part of his men’s-record haul of 20 Grand Slam titles.
“I have so much respect for Roger and everything he is done for the game. He is been a hero of mine, and today he was definitely not at his best,” Millman said, “but, you know, I’ll take it.”
So much for that highly anticipated match-up between Federer and 13-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals. Instead, it’ll be the 55th-ranked Millman, an Australian who had never made it past the third round at a Slam until last week, taking on No 6 seed Djokovic.