His Olympic hopes hanging in the wind won't deter John Millman from fighting for a coveted spot in Wimbledon's third round on Thursday.
Millman will square off with seeded Frenchman Benoit Paire after battling from two sets to one down to score a 7-5 4-6 5-7 6-4 6-3 victory over Albert Montanes in his opener on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old admitted to "winning ugly" after taking the Spanish claycourter a little for granted on London's hallowed grass courts.
"Ball-striking wise, I can play a lot better but I'm in the second round, so I can't be too disappointed really," Millman said.
"Sometimes I'd prefer to not play my best and get through it than flush the ball and be out."
Millman came tantalisingly close to reaching the final 32 at the All England Club last year, fading from two sets up against Marcos Baghdatis, and is "100 per cent" convinced he can topple the higher-ranked Paire.
"The more I play at this level, the more I get used to it and the more I know what it's all about," he said.
"I made third round at the Aussie (Open) earlier this year and I'd love to do that here at Wimbledon.
"I came close last year and that inspires you and motivates you to do better."
Millman will play under the backdrop of Tennis Australia's appeal to have the Australian No.3 eligible for the Rio Games in the absence of Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic despite not having represented Australia in at least two Davis Cup ties over the past three years.
Millman expects a decision from the ITF on Thursday before an official announcement is made on Saturday.
"I've been speaking to not only Tennis Australia but a few other guys are in a similar boat to me, a few other peers from other countries, and everyone's relatively confident that it's going to go through," Millman said.
"So in the back of my mind - I don't want to get my hopes up - but I feel I will probably will be playing Rio."
The world No.67 said the appeal process wouldn't distract him on Thursday.
"This is Wimbledon. Wimbledon's as good as it gets," he said.
"I think the only thing that could be better is playing Olympics.
"If I get the opportunity to represent my country at the Olympics, that's the icing on the cake."
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