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John Millman has been unable to back up his US Open success, bowing out in the Australian Open second round with a five-set loss to Roberto Bautista Agut.

John Millman has failed to replicate his US Open quarter-final heroics, falling in the Australian Open second round to Roberto Bautista Agut.

The Spanish party-pooper, who also eliminated Andy Murray in round one, outlasted the Australian No.2 6-4-6-1 3-6 6-7 (8-6) 6-4.

There was Millmania amongst fans at Margaret Court Arena after he saved four match points to win the fourth set, but he couldn't go the distance.

It was the second five-set victory for world No.24 Bautista Agut, the 22nd seed, after his win over Murray.

Millman said he felt it was a missed opportunity given he was in career-best form.

"I feel I wanted nothing more than to go for a run here at the Australian Open," said the 29-year-old, who shocked second seed Roger Federer in the fourth round of the US Open.

"The US Open gave me a taste for that, to go really deep."

Millman was left to lament his slow start, with the Spaniard dominating the early exchanges.

The Queenslander said he found it difficult to adjust to conditions on a main stage after playing his opening match out on a quicker outside court.

But Millman found his groove in the third and worked his way back into the match.

Millman broke to lead 5-3 in the fourth before the tenacious Bautista Agut clawed his way back to take the set into a tiebreak.

The Spaniard led the tie-break 6-2 but Millman wouldn't surrender and delivered a forehand winner to seal a thrilling set.

The world No.37 said he didn't take much out his fightback.

"I expect that of myself - I have high expectations of myself," Millman said.

"I was pretty displeased - and credit to Roberto, he started off pretty well, I probably didn't start off so well."

Bautista Agut got the break in the fifth to lead 4-2 and maintained that advantage before serving out the match.