Millman eager to break third-round barrier

World No.84 Mikhail Kukushkin stands between Australian tennis journeyman John Millman and a place in the US Open's last 16.

John Millman of Australia.

John Millman has a huge opportunity to reach the US Open's fourth round in New York. (AAP)

He's already assured the biggest payday of his career but John Millman can't put a price on what a third-round victory over Mikhail Kukushkin would mean.

"I am really happy to be in another third round here but it would be great to win one more," Millman said before attempting to crash the second week of a grand slam for the first time.

Forget his guaranteed cheque of $S212,000 pay day, and possibly a whole lot more, the 29-year-old Queenslander craves another shot at Roger Federer or Australian Davis Cup teammate Nick Kyrgios for a spot in the quarter-finals.

That's what's at stake for Millman when he plays the Kazakh ranked 29 places below him at No.84 in the world.

After falling to Philipp Kohlschreiber at the same stage in New York last year, having taken out Kyrgios in his opener, Millman has his best chance yet to break the third-round barrier at a grand slam at his fourth attempt.

Especially given he knocked out world No.14 Fabio Fognini on Thursday.

Millman, though, is treating Kukushkin with due respect.

"Mikhail is a very good player. When he is on, he can play some great, great tennis," Millman said.

"He is an extremely good ball striker. I'll have to be prepared and ready."

With teenager Alex de Minaur also still going, Millman and Kyrgios are among three Australian featuring in the third round at Flushing Meadows for the first time in 17 years.

Victories for Millman and Kyrgios would ensure at least one makes the quarter-finals for the first time since Lleyton Hewitt lost to Andy Roddick in 2006.


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Source: AAP



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