Australian John Millman has claimed an impressive 6-3 3-6 6-4 win over former world number three Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Serbia Open.
The Aussie, who is currently ranked 80th in the world, showed the better stamina in a match that lasted just under three hours.
Millman was more clinical on serve and clinched three of six break points to secure the victory.
Thiem was playing his first top-level match since June last year after requiring surgery on his wrist.
While acknowledging his opponent wasn't at his best, Millman wasn't going to spurn the chance to claim an important win.
"I can't claim it was one of my biggest wins because he is just coming back from injury and I know how hard that is, coming back from three surgeries myself," Millman said post-match.
"I know it has been tough for Domi but the game is better having him back. Especially on this surface.
"I have got to take this win because when he gets better and fitter, it is going to be tough."
Pure honesty from @johnmillman 😅@domithiem #SerbiaOpen pic.twitter.com/W5NTAcYQe4
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 19, 2022
Millman will now face local hope and seventh-seed Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round on Wednesday night.
The winner of that match will then likely face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals, with the world number one scheduled to face unseeded Laslo Dere in his first match of the tournament.
Australian men's doubles duo Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell will play their first match at the Serbia Open on Wednesday and are the tournament's third seeds after their recent triumph in Houston.
