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Nick Kyrgios' mouth costs him more money
Rising Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios has again been fined for his on-court behaviour after his opening round victory at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
PT0M23S 620 349A parochial Australian crowd erupted into chants of "bullshit" after a controversial umpiring decision, but the unheralded John Millman overcame the setback to survive an epic five-set tussle and move into a career best third round at the Australian Open.
In scenes rarely witnessed at Melbourne Park, the football-like crowd on the outside showcourt took exception to a contentious umpiring call and voiced their disapproval.
At 2-2 and deuce in the fifth set, Millman appeared to be dominating a point when the racket dampener of his opponent Gilles Muller flung on to the surface on the outside showcourt.
Holding his nerve: John Millman celebrates after defeating Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. Photo: AP
The umpire called let, rattling the 95th-ranked Australian who then double-faulted the next point, wasting a challenge out of frustration.
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The 26-year-old Queenslander, who had never been past the first round of his home grand slam, regained his composure to win the game and eventually the match, sending the small but animated crowd into raptures.
Millman came back from a set down to win the match in five sets, prevailing 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in three hours and 38 minutes.
"I feel like I've proven now that I can beat a player like Gilles Muller. In the past I've matched up with some of the really top guys," Millman said.
"I was disappointed in a couple matches last year that I fell short, but I guess you learn from that. Today kind of really made things right. I made things right out there. I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I was ready for it. I was up for it. Yeah, I'm just grateful that I managed to win today."
While the win is a significant milestone for Millman, the $97,500 pay cheque that comes with it is equally appealing given the financial struggles a lot of the fringe players experience.
"It's a massive thing for someone like myself who has really only spent a year in the top 100," Millman said.
"It's probably something that I feel as if - obviously the top guys deserve everything they get. They really do. They bring in everything. They bring in the sponsors. They bring in the money. They put bums in seats. They should be paid for what they do. I have the utmost respect for tennis players.
"I've only probably been in the top 100 now nearly a year. Obviously the money's a little bit better. That kind of really sets up the start of the year. It allows me to do it maybe a little bit more properly ... It just allows you to do it a little bit more properly. You can eat a bit better. You can maybe stay, you can get maybe the quickest connection in flights. I'll still sit at the back of the plane, but I might not spend 12 hours in Singapore or something like that. It's those little things. You'd be surprised. It's little one percenters. I really feel that's the next step. That's the biggest challenge to get to that next level."
His previous best record at a major came at Wimbledon last year, shocking then world No.19 Tommy Robredo in the first round before eventually succumbing to Marcos Baghdatis.in a five set thriller.
This one was every bit as pulsating, but the result a much sweeter taste as he set up a third round clash against the winner of the Bernard Tomic-Simone Bolelli match.