American teenager Learner Tien, just 19 years old, has captured the tennis world's attention with a stunning victory over last year's runner-up Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open. This remarkable feat marks Tien's first triumph over a top-five ranked opponent and places him as the youngest player remaining in the men's draw at this prestigious tournament. In a gripping match that extended into the early hours, Tien displayed remarkable composure and skill to secure his place in the third round.
Tien's victory over Medvedev is more than just an upset; it represents a breakthrough in his young career. Prior to this week, Tien had never won a grand slam match, having suffered three consecutive first-round exits at the US Open. His success at the Australian Open follows a hard-fought match against ninth-seed Andrey Rublev earlier in the week, where he also showcased his potential despite ultimately losing in the second round.
The match against Medvedev tested Tien's resilience and stamina, lasting an exhausting four hours and 49 minutes. Tien had an opportunity to close out the victory with a match point in the third set, but Medvedev launched a formidable comeback. However, Tien's determination shone through as he secured an early break of serve in the deciding set to take a 3-1 lead. He then won six of the last seven points to clinch his first-ever win over a top-five player.
“I was definitely hoping that it wasn’t going to go to a fifth-set breaker (against Medvedev),” – Learner Tien
This victory also makes Tien the youngest American to reach the third round of the Australian Open since Pete Sampras achieved this milestone 35 years ago. His journey to this point has been marked by significant achievements, including finishing as runner-up in the boys' singles event at Melbourne Park two years ago.
Looking ahead, Tien is set to face unseeded Frenchman Corentin Moutet on Saturday in Melbourne. As he prepares for this upcoming challenge, Tien remains optimistic about his chances.
“I think it will be a fun match.” – Learner Tien
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