John Millman has the first ATP Tour title of his career after beating Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-1 at the Astana Open.
This has been a tough season for the Australian, who had not managed two wins at the same Tour-level event since the Australian Open until this week.
But a string of impressive results against Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Paul and then Frances Tiafoe secured a final meeting with Mannarino.
The Frenchman's 2020 struggles have been even more stark, taking a 6-14 record to Kazakhstan, and he proved an accommodating opponent for Millman, failing to take his opportunities.
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Five break points came and went for Mannarino in the first set before Millman broke at the first attempt to take the opener.
Mannarino then offered little resistance in the second, waiting until the final game to squander his sixth and last chance as Millman claimed a straight-sets win.
Match Point(s) Saved Champions in 2020*
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 1, 2020
Novak Djokovic (Dubai)
Jiri Vesely (Pune)
Reilly Opelka (Delray Beach)
Ugo Humbert (Antwerp)
John Millman (Nur-Sultan)
*Players who have saved a match point across the tournament they eventually won. pic.twitter.com/2VjXAaX0kV
Millman's the man in Nur-Sultan 💪
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 1, 2020
Australia's @johnhmillman claims his maiden ATP title, defeating Adrian Mannarino 7-5 6-1 at @AstanaOpen pic.twitter.com/MCWIov1QP1
Millman was reflective in his speech post-match, thanking his entire team for helping making the win possible.
"To all the team back home or that's littered around the world, family, friends, missus...thank you for always supporting me," Millman said.
"Not just in the good times but the tough times.
"This is my first ATP 250 that I've won and it's really special I could do it in Nur-Sultan.
"A massive thank you, I've enjoyed every minute of being a guest in this great country."
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏John Millman claims his 1st ATP Tour title in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan. pic.twitter.com/fLLBTjlrRt
— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) November 1, 2020
The 31-year-old turned pro in 2006 and and made his ATP Tour debut in Brisbane in 2010.
It is also just the third time Millman has reached the final of an ATP tournament, the last occasion coming in 2019 when he lost to Novak Djokovic in Tokyo.
Millmania!
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 1, 2020
🇦🇺 @johnhmillman has won his first #ATPTour title at the @AstanaOpen, defeating Mannarino 7-5, 6-1! pic.twitter.com/TXtio0iMLx