Australian John Millman wins Astana Open Title

Nur-Sultan , November 1  (Media Release): Fourth seeded John Millman won his first ever car ATP title winning the inaugural edition of the  ATP 250 Astana Open which concluded at the National Tennis Centre in Nur -Sultan, Kazakhstan.

It was third time lucky in finals for the 31 year World No. 45 Millman as he outplayed third seeded Adrian Mannarino 7-5,6-1 in just 1 hr 48 mins to lift the title . Millman contested  two finals unsuccessfully previously at  Budapest (2018) and Tokyo(2019).

In the finals, the  fourth seeded Australian,  Millman, saved 6 breakpoints on his service games in the first set but managed to  hold on to his serve. Millman, who was the  second Aussie to reach an ATP Tour final this year,  broke  the third seeded  Frenchman Mannarino in the 12th game with a backhand down the line on his  first break point to take the set 7-5.
 
In the second set, Mannarino, who was playing his 10th career final match, managed to save three breakpoints in the 4th game of the set but Millman finally broke him on the fourth breakpoint to take a 3-1 lead. This not only broke Mannarino's service but it broke his confidence too.
Millman never looked back and broke again in the 6th game to widen the lead  and go up 5-1. In a dramatic seventh game, Millman served two double faults to let Mannarino  get to break point. However, some good baseline play by the Australian saved the breakpoint. Then on match point, Millman challenged a baseline call on a forehand that was called out. He won the challenge and the point to take the title in 1hr 48 minutes.

With this title win, Millman joins an elite list of 2020 Champions who have won ATP titles after saving match point(s) which include:
Jiri Vesely (Pune), Reilly Opelka ( Delray Beach), Novak Djokovic (Dubai) and Ugo Humbert (Antwerp)                         
 
"I'm thrilled to win my first ever career title. It was third time lucky for me. I really couldn't care about the prize money or the points. It's a title at the inaugural ATP 250 event here which I will cherish." said Millman at the post match conference.
“I have played some tough matches against Adrian before. He is great competitor and when you take to the court against him it’s never easy ," but I'm happy  to have got the result today, a result that I have been waiting for for so long" said Millman about his opponent.
"I had some tough moments earlier in the first set  but I was happy and relieved that that I was able to turn the momentum my way. I loved playing on the centre court here. It grew on me.  I was also feeling tired after tough matches over the last two days", he added.
“The Astana Open provided unbelievable hospitality and I feel that this tournament should be a permanent fixture on the tour. It’s one of the best 250 event that I have played" the Aussie summed up.  
Speaking to the media, the Frenchman  Adrian Mannarino said" John deserved to win today. He played tough and smart tennis'. I've been struggling with injuries after the  US Open  and I was very happy that I could make the finals".
  
RESULTS   SINGLES  FINALS

[4] John Millman (AUS)  d [3] Adrian Mannarino (FRA)  7-5,6-2