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John Millman to Australia’s rescue at Wimbledon

John Millman has been Australia's only winner on the opening day at Wimbledon.

John Millman has been Australia's only winner on the opening day at Wimbledon. Photo: Getty

John Millman has saved Australia from a first-day Wimbledon wipe-out with a fighting four-set win over Italian Stefano Travaglia.

Millman battled back from a set down to advance with a 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-5 6-2 victory after Jordan Thompson, Jason Kubler, John-Patrick Smith and Ajla Tomljanovic all bombed out.

The 29-year-old’s victory set up a showdown on Wednesday with 2016 finalist Milos Raonic, a 7-5 6-0 6-1 first-round winner over British wildcard Liam Broady.

After drawing Rafael Nadal in the first round last year, Millman has returned All England Club with a career-high ranking of No.56 in the world after a rare injury-free run.

Having also played eventual champion Andy Murray in round three two years ago, the Queenslander won’t be daunted by the prospect of a show-court match-up with Raonic and the 13th seed’s thunderous serve.

While Millman marches on, Thompson’s fall from grace continues.

A year after toppling Murray at Queen’s, the Sydneysider faces the prospect of needing to qualify for next month’s US Open following his 6-2 6-4 6-3 first-round loss to 11th seed Sam Querrey.

“Result speak for themselves and I haven’t done well this year,” said Thompson, who tumbled out of the top 100 this week.

Kubler was gallant in a 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (7-3) loss to Guido Pella in his long-awaited Wimbledon main-draw debut.

But fellow qualifier Smith was no match for Andreas Seppi in a 6-2 6-4 6-1 defeat to the seasoned Italian.

American 10th seed Madison Keys packed too much punch for Tomljanovic, the 2017 US Open runner-up powering to a 6-4 6-2 victory in her first match under the guidance of Australian coach David Taylor.

Aussie seeds Nick Kyrgios, Ashleigh Barty and Daria Gavrilova, along with Samantha Stosur, Matt Ebden, Bernard Tomic, Alex de Minaur, James Duckworth and Alex Bolt all open their campaigns on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, tennis legends Roger Federer and Serena Williams have both cruised in the second round at Wimbledon after routine victories.

Roger Federer Wimbledon

Roger Federer waves to the crowd after beating Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic. Photo: Getty

The eight-time champion began his title defence in style at the All England Club, brushing aside Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-1 6-3 6-4 in 79 minutes on Centre Court.

The 36-year-old Swiss star never faced a break point and showed off the full repertoire of shots that has made him the most successful male player at Wimbledon.

“Felt right at home again, so that was a really nice feeling,” he said.

“I got the early break in each set and then was able to bring it home. I’m really happy with my focus as well, point-for-point mentality.”

Federer is looking for a record-extending ninth title at the All England Club but only needed to step onto the court to create a bit more history. He is the first man in the Open era to play in the grass-court Grand Slam for a 20th straight year.

In the women’s draw, Williams marked her return to Wimbledon for the first time since becoming a mother with a 7-5 6-3 first-round win over Arantxa Rus.

The seven-times champion, who missed last year’s tournament while pregnant with her daughter Alexis Olympia, is considered by many as the woman to beat at these championships despite her lowly ranking of 181.

-AAP

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