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Australian Open highlights on day three
Novak Djokovic cruised into the third round with a straight sets win as new Australian Daria Gavrilova upset sixth-seed Petra Kvitova.
PT1M33S 620 349Bernard Tomic will square off against John Millman in an all-Aussie third round showdown, and boy isn't he thankful.
While Tomic is happy for the 26-year-old Australian to reach the third round of a slam for the first time in his career, he joked about how he mas more grateful he doesn't have to face the man Millman toppled on Thursday night.
Winning ways: Bernard Tomic hits a forehand return during his second round match against Italy's Simone Bolelli. Photo: Vincent Thian
Tomic had one eye on the scoreboard during his second round victory against Simone Bolelli, keeping a close look at who his next opponent could be as Millman and Gilles Muller locked horns on the nearby showcourt.
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"I think I'm down three-love, or four-love to Muller," Tomic said.
"I was watching. I was excited in my way John won, excited to not face Gilles. I hate playing the guy."
Strung out: Simone Bolelli receives treatment from a trainer. Photo: Rick Rycroft
Tomic, the No.16 seed, was far too strong for Bolelli, moving into the third round at Melbourne Park for the fifth time in his career with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 victory.
The 23-year-old Tomic will head into the all-Queensland affair as the raging favourite to set up a potential final 16 clash against Andy Murray, but he knows Millman won't be a walk in the park.
"He's playing very, very good. He's in good form," Tomic said.
Cult following: Australia's John Millman celebrates after defeating Gilles Muller. Photo: AP
"It's not going to be an easy match. He's going to make a lot of, lot of balls. We've played a lot in the challengers when I was about 14, 15, 16. I think we played maybe once or twice. I think I got him both times. But he's improved so much. He's a huge competitor. He has a lot to do with the Davis Cup now. He's a huge supporter over there. He's such a nice guy.
"I congratulate him for making the third round. It's I think his best achievement at a Grand Slam. It's something he's also very proud of. He's looking for sure to maybe to go into the fourth round. We have to face each other, so I'm very happy it's the situation now. I have to focus on trying to win this match."
With the attention squarely on Nick Kyrgios and Lleyton Hewitt in the build up to the opening grand slam of the season, Tomic has flown under the radar and is in a strong position to reach the fourth round.
Tomic's has reached the final 16 of the Australian Open twice, but He will first have to get through the confident Millman, who gathered a cult following after he managed to come back from a set down to upset Muller in five sets in front of a parochial crowd.
While Millman knows the odds are stacked against him, the world No.95 is primed to cause an upset.
"I grew up with Bernie. He's a Gold Coast boy. I'm from Brisbane," Millman said.
"Bernie right now is setting the benchmark in men's tennis. He's our No. 1 Australian player by a fair way in terms of ranking. He had a great year last year. On the flipside, I feel I can go out there and have nothing to lose. He plays Davis Cup every tie, just about.
"Like I said, he's our No.1 player. For me on paper he should win, but tennis is a funny game. You start off at zero-all. I'm a big believer in that. On any given day, anyone can win."