JOHN Millman’s grand slam return was ruthlessly snuffed out by Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
The Queenslander was eliminated 6-2 6-2 0-6 6-1 in a roller-coaster contest.
Sidelined with a string of injuries, Millman was contesting his first major since last season’s US Open, having missed January’s Australian Open, and playing only his second tournament of the year.
Appearing with a protected ranking, Millman was immediately put to the sword by 17th seed Bautista Agut.
But his tenacity enabled him to pocket the third set, stringing together seven games in a row to lead the fourth set with a service break.
John Millman hits a backhand against Roberto Bautista Agut. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images
Sensing the danger, Bautista Agut buckled down to clinch the match in 2hr 14min.
On day one, teenager Alex de Minaur savoured his French Open debut — even though it ended in defeat.
“It’s just a great feeling. This is what you start playing tennis for,” 18-year-old De Minaur said after his 6-2 6-3 6-1 first-round loss to veteran Dutchman Robin Haase.
“As a little kid, you just aspire to be playing these tournaments against these players and it’s an unbelievable feeling … I pretty much got hit off the court. Not a lot I can do when a big, tall guy like him is feeling and hitting winners and just hitting me off the court.
“But this is the level that I want to be playing at.
“You’ve got these guys who play every point and often they just don’t give you any cheap points … the points you win have got to be on your terms.”
Originally published as Millman slam comeback cut short
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