Australian Open: The super 'tie-break' saves Federer against Millman: “If not, I would have lost”

The Swiss traces an 8-4 in the decisive playoff to knock down Millman (4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8)) and access the third round.

The hundredth triumph of his glorious career in Melbourne was an effort to the limit for Roger Federer, who had to overcome an adverse 8-4 in the super 'tie-break' of the fifth set against John Millman (4-6, 7-6 (2 ), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (8)). No less than four hours of tension at the Rod Laver Arena against the Australian, his executioner at the 2018 US Open, who had scored the victory in a conventional tiebreaker.

“I had trouble creating problems in his service. It was hard. I was never comfortable,” analyzed the Basel genius, who had to score the last six points to complete his comeback. “Thank God there was a super 'tie-break'. If not, I would have lost,” he admitted about the peculiar system implemented in 2019 by the Australian Open, the only 'major' where the last set is decided in a game where 10 points must be reached.

Remember that Roland Garros maintains the traditional system without 'tie-break' in the fifth, while Wimbledon has released a tiebreaker after 12-12, which last year decanted the triumph of Novak Djokovic in the final, precisely against Federer. Finally, the US Open incorporated a few years ago the usual 'tie break' to seven points after a 6-6 in the last round.

82 unforced errors

“I think it is important that these different systems exist in each 'major,” said Roger, who becomes the first tennis player in history to add at least 100 wins in two Grand Slam, since last July he surpassed this mark in Wimbledon .

Federer, with a game full of ups and downs, made 82 unforced errors against Millman, strongly encouraged by his coach, Lleyton Hewitt. In the other corner of the track, the cameras collected the scenes of nerves of Mirka Vavrinek, the wife of the winner of 20 majors.

However, the local idol was seized by pressure at critical moments. “When he scored 7-4 in the tiebreaker, I felt the roar of the stands. They must have thought that it was over,” Federer said, that Sunday will be measured in third round to Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.