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'Poor Mirka': Roger Federer's wife 'so distressed' in Australian Open epic

chris young

It felt like every single point in Roger Federer’s five-set epic against John Millman had the potential to change the game.

In what was arguably the match of the Australian Open so far, Federer went back and forth with the Australian world no.47, ultimately winning 4-6 7-6 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10-8).

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Everyone at the venue was on the edge of their seat throughout - but perhaps none more than Federer’s wife Mirka.

As Millman and Federer turned their third round clash into the ultimate test of endurance and skill, Mirka could be seen riding every single point.

Her reactions to every twist and turn won her plenty of fans online, most of whom were watching along with her.

Mirka Federer is pictured nervously reacting as her husband, Roger Federer, defeated John Millman at the Australian Open.
Mirka Federer ran a gauntlet of emotions as she watched her husband, Roger Federer, get taken to a fifth-set tiebreak by John Millman in round three of the Australian Open. Picture: Twitter/Channel 9

“Mirka is working hard. It is a battle,” Channel 9 commentator Todd Woodbridge quipped when she was shown on screen with the fifth set tied 2-2.

Federer eventually toppled Millman in a wild fifth set tiebreak - leaving Mirka beaming with pride on the sidelines.

Fans lapped up the reaction from their new hero, even after the match only ended in the early hours of the morning.

Federer digs deep to produce super tiebreak miracle

In a pulsating encounter the six-time champion had to call on all his fighting qualities, trailing the Australian 4-8 in their deciding super tiebreak, which is first to 10.

Federer managed to reel off six straight points to secure the victory, icing an unprecedented 100th win at the Open with a forehand winner.

Across the whole match Federer won 181 points to Millman's 178.

"It was tough - thank God it is a super tie-breaker otherwise I would have lost this one," Federer said.

"I think John played a great match and he might as well have been a hero in the match.

"It was a great fight and it came down to the wire at the end and a bit of luck, maybe.

"I never really felt comfortable and I thought John did a great job of keeping me on my back foot, that I couldn't always step in until the last shot.

"I went to go for it and he picked the wrong side."