JOHN MIllman has won in a very John Millman way, coming back from the brink of defeat to defeat seventh seed Tommy Paul in three epic sets to book his spot in the Astana Open semi-finals. Losing the first set in a tiebreaker, Millman needed two hours and 51 minutes to defeat seventh seed Paul, winning 6-7 6-4 7-6, including the last five points in the match in a never-say-die performance.

What made the win all the more remarkable was the fact that Millman faced two match points on the day, and trailed 5-2 in the final set and fought his way back to force a tiebreaker and then reign triumphant and secure his spot in the tournament semi-finals. The match was far from his best, in fact he served at a poor 46 per cent, and produced three double faults for no aces. By comparison, Paul served 12 aces for only two double faults and had a serving efficiency of 60 per cent. It was just the Millman way to battle on in the face of adversity to somehow break six times to five and take control off Paul’s second serve to win 60 per cent of those points and win the match.

It was not enough that he had not only fallen a break behind at 5-2, after holding serve he faced two match points at 5-3. Then Millman went 5-0 down in the tiebreaker and not many would have backed him from there, but the Australian just found a way, producing seven consecutive points to win it 7-5 and advance through to the semi-finals. Luckily for the top 50 Australian, his next opponent Frances Tiafoe spent just as much time on court in a hard-fought win.

Tiafoe won 7-6 5-7 7-5 in two hours and 35 minutes, defeating Belarusian Egor Gerasimov to secure his spot in the semi-finals. Starting to finally string some form together, Tiafoe weathered 14 aces from Gerasimov to win 79 per cent of his own first serve points off a 63 per cent clip, including six aces. Whilst still inconsistent at times with five double faults, Tiafoe kept pushing and never gave in. Gerasimov actually won three more points for the match, but Tiafoe got the win with his third break of the match in the deciding set being the crucial difference between the players.

Unfortunately for the home fans, the dream of a local winner taking out the brand new title was dashed with rising star Finn Emil Ruusuvuori eliminating Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Kukushkin in straight sets. Ruusuvuori is starting to show signs he could have a breakout season next year, with the qualifier downing his more experienced opponent 6-3 6-1 in 81 minutes. Ruusuvuori served six aces and five double faults, but only dropped four points off his first serve to not even face a break point during the match in a dominant serving performance. Kukushkin – who was coming off a win over top seed Benoit Paire yesterday – saved half his break points but was still broken four times as he struggled with his serve, winning just 58 and 35 per cent of his first and second serve points to be eliminated from the tournament.

Next up for the 21-year-old is Frenchman Adrian Mannarino as the third seed and tournament favourite eyes off his second career ATP Tour title. He took care of American Mackenzie McDonald 6-1 6-4 in an hour and 40 minutes to advance through to the semi-finals. It was not the most complete performance, serving at 56 per cent, but he won 70 per cent of his first serve points, far superior to McDonald/’s 57 per cent, and did enough off his second serve points – 47 to 30 per cent success rate – to control proceedings. It was more that Mannarino found a way to hold firm during crucial break point opportunities, saving six of McDonald’s seven chances, whilst breaking the American four of the eight chances to win.

Millman and Tiafoe are up first tomorrow for the semi-finals, followed by Ruusuvuori and Mannarino. The quartet have just two titles between them with Mannarino and Tiafoe the only ones to have lifted a trophy during their career thus far.