Madrid, Spain, 8 May 2019 | AAP

John Millman is through to the last 32 of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid after he defeated Steve Johnson in the Spanish capital.

Yet Alex de Minaur’s return to tennis from injury suffered a slight setback in a straight-sets loss in the first round to Hubert Hurkacz.

Millman was 0-3 in matches against American Johnson heading into Tuesday’s clash but came through 7-6(5) 7-6(5) to set up a meeting with Italian 10th seed Fabio Fognini, who defeated Kyle Edmund 6-4 6-3 in his opener.

De Minaur was ousted 6-3 6-4 in an hour and 15 minutes by Polish the qualifier Hurkacz, ranked 52nd.

Returning a week ago in Estoril from a groin injury sustained in March, it marked the third time in as many matches De Minaur has exited in his opening match.

The world No.27 has endured the recent tough stretch after starting the year superbly by winning the Sydney International.

But a seeding at the French Open would still appear to be secure for the 20 year-old, who has only minor points to defend before the clay-court Grand Slam starts on 26 May.

Millman, too, was bouncing back from injury, having retired during his second-round match last week in Estoril due to a foot injury.

He and fellow Queenslander Ash Barty play their next singles matches on Wednesday in Madrid.

Barty is taking on Yulia Putintseva for a place in the quarterfinals.