John Millman's US Open odyssey is over following a sapping quarter-final loss to Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic. Djokovic downed Millman 6-3 6-4 6-4 in a drama-charged war of attrition to end the unseeded Australian's gallant run and reach his 11th semi-final in New York. With Millman making headlines in Australia for his stirring fourth-round triumph over Roger Federer, even Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch were on hand on Wednesday night to see what all the fuss was about. The media moguls weren't disappointed, passionately cheering Millman on from their front-row seats as the Aussie battler dragged Djokovic out of his comfort zone with some incredible retrieving on another steamy night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Just like Federer two nights earlier against Millman, Djokovic looked in distress as Millman toiled valiantly to turn the match into a physical endurance test. SCROLL DOWN TO RE-LIVE ALL THE ACTION BELOW But the 13-times major winner's class ultimately told, gaining a decisive break in each set to advance to a last-four meeting on Friday with rejuvenated 2014 runner-up Kei Nishikori. Despite the straight-sets scoreline, Djokovic admitted he needed to dig deep to keep Millman at bay and eventually prevail after two hours and 49 minutes. "I was struggling, he was struggling, we were all sweating," Djokovic said. "I was just trying to hang in there and try to find a way to win the match. "But definitely it was not easy conditions to play in." "Full credit for John for putting up a great battle. He's truly a great fighter." - with AAP 12:05pm: Novak Djokovic on John Millman: “Credit to John for putting up a great battle, he truly is a great fighter. “He’s had an amazing tournament, his first quarter-finals and he won against Roger (Federer) a couple of nights ago. “To come out after that kind of win and fight here for three hours, he deserves a round of applause, definitely.” 11:58am: Djokovic wins that in just under three hours. 11:55am: It’s all over! Novak Djokovic beats Millman in straight sets, ending his giant-killing run at the US Open. 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 11:51am: Millman couldn’t save the third. Djokovic to serve for the match, leading 5-4 in the third. 11:50am: Two break points saved, one to go. 11:49am: Triple break points coming up for Djokovic after he wins an epic 18-shot rally. 11:47am: Easy hold for Novak. 4-4 in the third 11:45am: The Aussie holds serve to lead 4-3 in the third set. Huge service game coming up for Novak. 11:41am: Millman breaks back!! 3-3 in the third set and he’s not done with yet. 11:40am: Break point Millman. Here we go... 11:32am: Millman pumped up after saving two break points to hold his serve. It’s getting tough out there for the Australian but he keeps fighting to stay in this. Djokovic still up a break in the third, leading 3-2. 11:29am: 3-1 lead to Djokovic now as he holds serve. He’s got one foot in the semi-finals. 11:23am: The Djoker breaks Millman early in the third set to take a 2-1 lead. Tougher for Millman to stay in this match. 11:19am: A bit of finesse at the net from Djokovic to wrap that game up and tie the third set at 1-1. 11:14am: Millman holds a tough service game to start the third set in positive fashion. He’s 1-0 up but two sets down. 11:10am: Djokovic went off the court briefly and even asked the chair umpire if there was air conditioning in the arena. 11:09am: Millman to serve to start the third set. He’s got an uphill battle to stay in this match. 11:05am: Two set points for Djokovic, but he only needs one to take the second set 6-4. He’s one set away from progressing to the semi-finals. 10:57am: Millman saves BOTH break points. What a fighter! 10:56am: Two break points to Djokovic. This will be huge for the Serbian if he can take advantage. 10:53am: Djokovic ties up the second set at 4-4. We’re heading towards a tie-breaker at this rate. The match has really evened up. 10:48am: Millman is fired up after that one! He leads 4-3 and is playing some beautiful tennis. 10:43am: Novak bounces back to win his service game easy. 3-3 in the second 10:39am: Millman with his most comfortable hold of the match after a short break. Is the game starting to turn the Aussie’s way? 3-2 in the second 10:33am: Djokovic has the shirt off and he looks in trouble in the heat. The doctor is on court. Millman off the court to change his shorts, which became too sweaty. 10.31am: It’s still on serve here as Djokovic holds. 2-2 in the second 10:23am: Millman gives the fist pump to his coaches’ box after holding after service game. The Djoker looked like he was struggling in the humidity during that game. 2-1 in the second 10:20am: Easy hold for Djokovic as he levels the second set at 1-1. 10:16am: Millman hold serves after saving break point. He leads the second set 1-0. 10:13am: Millman saves all three breaks. Great determination from the Aussie early in the second set. 10:10am: Wow. What a rally. The point goes Djokovic’s way but Millman wasn’t giving up. Both players exhausted after that one. Three break points for the sixth seed. 10:06am: First set to Djokovic. He did it tough in that game but held on, saving a break point to win the set 6-3. Millman making him earn every point. 10:05am: Millman with the break point but Djokovic holds his cool to tie it up. Deuce. 9:58am: A tough service game but Millman manages to hold and stay in the set. 5-3 Djokovic 9:52am: Millman started that game well but Djokovic fights back to hold serve. One game away from the first set. 5-2 9:48am: What a game. Millman wins it in 16 minutes and 21 seconds. Djokovic wasn’t happy to drop that, but he still leads 4-2. 9:41am: This game is going the distance. Up past the 10-minute mark. 9:33am: Cracking cross-court shot from Millman. That will give him plenty of confidence as he battles to stay in the first set. He hits one down the line next point. 9:29am: Djokovic is cruising towards the first set here, grabbing a 4-1 lead with another easy service game. 9:26am: Millman is on the board!! He fights back from 0-30 down to grab his first game of the match. 3-1 Djokovic 9:19am: Another comfortable hold for Djokovic who takes a 3-0 lead against the Aussie. He’s flying! 9:15am: Another break point for the sixth seed and this time he takes full advantage of it. 2-0 9:14am: Great fight from Millman saves the break point in a long rally. We’re at deuce. 9:13am: Early break point for Djokovic. 30-40 9:08am: The reigning Wimbledon champion with an easy service game to start the match. Millman won just the one point. 1-0 Djokovic 9:05am: Djokovic to serve first. 9:04am: The Queenslander looking cool, calm and collected as he warms up on Arthur Ashe Stadium ahead of the biggest match of his career. 8:59am: After a quick interview, they’re ready to walk on court ahead of their US Open quarter-final showdown. 8:56am: Millman and Djokovic have only met once before, at Queens back in 2015 where the Serbian prevailed 6-2, 6-1 in the round of 32. 8.42am: American Maddison Keys is through to the US Open women’s semi-finals after defeating Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3. Up next on Arthur Ashe Stadium is the one we’ve all been waiting for.<doc-sep>Once you have subscribed we will use the email you provided to send you the newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter email. Novak Djokovic confessed he made a “very bad joke” after claiming his clothing sponsor Lacoste helped him defeat Kei Nishikori the last time they met. Djokovic set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with the Japanese former finalist after overcoming Roger Federer’s conqueror John Millman 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. The 31-year-old is gunning for his 14th Grand Slam title this week and could set up a blockbuster final against Rafael Nadal should he beat Nishikori. The fairly routine victory for the Serb didn’t come without a bizarre interval, where the chair umpire allowed Millman to leave the court midway through the second set because he was sweating profusely and soaking the court surface in the process. Djokovic stated that conditions at this year’s tournament were the toughest he has known for 10 years. He said he had never sweated as much and echoed Federer’s comments about a lack of air in the stadium, saying it was a problem the tournament organisers needed to address. Djokovic and Nishikori last met in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, where the world No.6 came out on top over four sets. After his victory this morning, Djokovic spoke to ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert regarding his upcoming match with the Japanese number one and joked that he was victorious in their last meeting because he left Uniqlo – the current sponsor of Nishikori – to join Lacoste. “I played him once I think since I changed to Lacoste from Uniqlo, so I think Uniqlo was the key of the success (smiling),” Djokovic said. “That was a very bad joke. Yeah, it’s 1am, guys. I’m sorry, I’m just trying to make this interesting.” Djokovic went on to highlight and break-down the strengths of Nishikori and explained why he holds the Japanese ace in such high regard. “He has one of the best two-handed backhands in the game and is very quick,” Djokovic added. “If not the quickest, then one of the quickest players on tour. “He has phenomenal footwork, but you know, I have played him recently in the quarters of Wimbledon, it was a very tough match. “We have faced each other many times in different tournaments. I have lost – probably the biggest match against him in the semis back in 2014. He loves playing here obviously. “He had a tough one today against Marin (Cilic)and managed to prevail in that match, which was quite impressive. “He’s known to be a very disciplined guy who works hard. He is extremely talented and has Michael Chang in his corner. Good working ethics. “I think he has been challenged a lot throughout his career with a variety of injuries. That hasn’t helped him but when he’s on, he’s definitely a top-5 or top-10 player. “There is no doubt he’s won big tournaments, been in the final stages of slams and he has experience. I’m expecting a tough one.” News Now - Sport News<doc-sep>Novak Djokovic will face Joao Sousa for the fifth time in career. The Serbian player leads head to head meetings 4-0, he always won in straight sets, at 2013 US Open, 2014 French Open, 2016 Miami, 2017 French Open. Djokovic is cautious about the challenge. Analyzing his next match, the 31-year-old said: 'He made a good win a few days ago, today against top-15 player. He deserves a credit for reaching first time last 16 in a slam. He doesn't have anything to lose. He's a fighter. He grinds. He doesn't give you too many free points. He makes you run. He loves to run. Loves to run around his backhand, hit some forehands. Plays pretty flat. I've played him. I think I played him here many years ago. Haven't played him for a while. Anyway, look, I know that I'm clear favorite in the match. At the same time I will try to maintain the level of focus and performance and level of tennis that I've had today. If it's like that, then I have a good chance to.' The night session will headlined again by Maria Sharapova who faces Carla Suarez Navarro, followed by Roger Federer vs John Millman. The Swiss defeated the Australian in the only previous meeting at 2014 Brisbane. Marin Cilic and David Goffin on Louis Armstrong Stadium should be a great one as well. Here below Monday schedule, singles players try to reach quarter-finals. ↓ SHOW SCHEDULE ↓<doc-sep>
Novak Djokovic faces John Millman in the US Open quarter-finals Despite going a set behind to Swiss ace Federer, Millman recovered to win 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-3) and pull off a major coup in downing the 20-time Grand Slam champion. The world No 55’s progress to the last eight at Flushing Meadows represents his greatest ever performance at a major. The 29-year-old claimed his first win against any of tennis’ ‘Big Four’ of Federer, Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray in overcoming Federer in New York. But he faces another massive challenge if he is to go one step further, with a tie against Wimbledon winner Djokovic awaiting him. This was the biggest win of John Millman's career Roger Federer was the huge favourite in his last-16 clash with Millman The Australian has only faced Djokovic once before at Queen’s earlier this summer, when the Serbian ran out 6-2, 6-1 in the first round on the way to finishing runner up to Marin Cilic. And Millman joked that he at least hopes to better his performance as he acknowledged the difficulty of facing the in-form world No 6 - who has won both of his last two matches in straight sets. “Last time I played him I got three games at Queen’s, so lets hope for a few more. I’m playing good tennis right now,” Millman said in his on-court interview immediately after downing Federer. “Novak’s an incredible player. He’s playing such good tennis right now off Wimbledon, winning Cincinnati also. “He moves incredibly well. He’s another guy I’ve looked up to with his game style and the way he goes about it.” John Millman takes on Novak Djokovic next US Open: Djokovic beats Sousa to a place in quarter-final Novak’s an incredible player. He’s playing such good tennis right now off Wimbledon. John Millman Millman also joked about his early-morning NFL draft ahead of his tie with Djokovic, admitting he won’t be getting too much sleep as a result. He added: “It’s 1 o’clock now, I should probably try to get a recovery. I’ve got a 7am fantasy draft so I’m going to get up for that. “I’m second pick, I don’t know whether to go Gurley or LeVeon Bell!” Federer was huge favourite against Millman in their round of 16 match-up but made 70 unforced errors including an incredible 10 double faults. Only 49 per-cent of his first serves were in as he served up an unusually-poor performance. But Millman will take great hope from the manner in which he responded to going behind for what was the biggest win in his career. John Millman caused a huge shock in eliminating Roger Federer John Millman has never reached this stage of a Grand Slam before