Kohlschreiber makes it through to fourth round.
WHAT HAPPENED: Philipp Kohlschreiber advanced to the fourth round of the US Open in straight sets on Saturday with a 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 win against Australian John Millman on Court 17.
A back and fourth first set was won by Kohlschreiber, who held serve when up 6-5. He had an easier time in the second set using two breaks to win the set in 44 minutes. The most impressive point also came in that set, a 23-shot rally with the game tied 1-1 and 30 all, won by Millman.
Kohlschreiber hasn't dropped a set on his way to the fourth round, defeating Tim Smyczek in the first round 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 and Santiago Giraldo in the second round 6-2, 6-1, 3-0 (ret.).
The fourth round of a Major is nothing new for Kohlschreiber, who's made nine appeareances. However, he's just 1-8. Kohlschreiber made his only quarterfinal appearace at Wimbledon in 2012. To get back to the quarters, the 33-year-old German will have to get through Roger Federer (36 years old) or Feliciano Lopez (35) in his next match.
"Of course both players are great, have been on the tour a long time. I've never won against Roger, so hopefully Feliciano wins,"Kohlschreiber said in an on court interview with a laugh.
Kohlschreiber had to work against the 28-year-old Millman. There were 28 volleys of at least 10 shots in the match including four of at least 21 shots. The 33-year-old won in two hours, 20 minutes.
"I think the first one and a half sets, it was so even that both of us should ave won the first set...I think I played very good tennis today," Kohlschreiber said.
WHAT IT MEANS: Kohlschrebier advanced to the fourth round at the US Open for the fourth time in six years (2012-14). Each of those three times, he defeated American John Isner in the third round.
Kohlschreiber has a history of match play against both potenial opponents in the next round. He's 0-11 against No. 3 Federer in his career, including a loss in the third round at the 2015 US Open, and is 3-4 against Lopez, including a second-round loss at the 2004 US Open.
"It's a big big goal to come to the quarterfinals, so hopefully I will give it everything," Kohlschreiber said.
The third round was tied for the farthest Millman has advanced in a Grand Slam (2016 Australian Open, 2016 Wimbledon) following first-round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.
MATCH POINT: Can Kohlschreiber get his second win in 10 tries in the fourth round at a major to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time at the US Open?