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Aussie Millman out of Atlanta ATP event

3 minute read

Alex De Minaur and James Duckworth are the only Australian's left in the Atlanta Open singles draw after John Millman was beaten by American Brandon Nakashima.

ALEX DE MINAUR of Australia. Picture: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Only two Australians remain in the singles draw at the ATP event in Atlanta after John Millman suffered a straight-sets defeat to Brandon Nakashima.

Eighth seed Nakashima saved three set points in the first-set tiebreak en route to a 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 in a tick over one hour 52 minutes.

Alex De Minaur will take on compatriot James Duckworth in the quarter-finals on Thursday while Nakashima meets Frances Tiafoe in an all-American last-eight clash on Friday.

Playing in his first event since pushing Nick Kyrgios to a fifth set in the Wimbledon fourth round, the returning Atlanta finalist advanced to his third quarter-final of 2022.

"A lot of long rallies out there and court conditions were tough as always here in Atlanta, but luckily I was able to squeeze that first set out," the 20-year-old said.

"Then I was lucky to get an early break in the second set and ride that out until the end.

"I think the court speed definitely suits my game a lot. I like the faster conditions, and with the heat it seems to be ideal for my game."

Fourth seed Tiafoe saw off Japan's Taro Daniel 7-5 6-4 and leads the head to head with Nakashima 3-0.

"He's definitely had my number ... but every match with him is super close and we're good friends off the court," Nakashima said.

"I know it's going to be a good battle."

Tommy Paul, the fifth seed, equalled his personal-best season mark of 25 tour-level wins with his 6-3 6-3 victory against Soonwoo Kwon of South Korea.

He will face Ilya Ivashka next after the Belarusian fought back to beat Steve Johnson 4-6 6-2 6-4.

After pulling out prior to his singles match against German Peter Gojowczyk on Tuesday, Kyrgios shook off a knee injury to partner compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis for a second doubles success in Atlanta.

The No.2 seeds moved into the semis with a 6-4 7-6 (7-3) win over Hunter Reese and Gonzalo Escobar.

But fellow Aussie pairing in Luke Saville and De Minaur succumbed to Americans Paul and Johnson, 4-6 6-1 10-8.

The all-Australian quarter-final between fourth seeds Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden and Jason Kubler and John Peers takes places on Thursday.