The Australian adventure ends in the 3rd round for Corentin Moutet. Opposed to the surprise of the tournament, the young American Learner Tien, the 69th player in the world, lost in three sets despite a huge fight (7-6 [10]6-3, 6-3, in 2h49) this Saturday in Melbourne.
Winner of local Alexei Popyrin in the first round on Tuesday, the Parisian continued against qualifier Mitchell Krueger and had a great opportunity to reach the round of 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the third time.
But the solidity of Tien, author of the match of the fortnight to eliminate Daniil Medvedev on Thursday, triumphed. Coming from the qualifications, the young Californian (19 years old) did not seem physically tested, even though he had already spent more than thirteen hours on the courts, including 4 hours 48 minutes against the Russian, before challenging Moutet. In a spectacular left-handed duel, the match was mainly decided during a crazy intense first round.
-75 minutes long, it was marked by four breaks and an unbearable decisive game, during which the Frenchman led 4-1 and missed a set point before cracking on the fourth opportunity in favor of Tien. Author of 30 winning shots for only 38 unforced errors, the young hope of American tennis has never cracked under pressure, he who is only playing his first Major outside the US Open.
Falling badly following a serve at the start of the third set, Moutet fought hard until the end, notably saving three double break points at 3-1. Insufficient to prevent Tien from becoming, at 19 years and 47 days, the youngest player to reach the second week in Melbourne since Rafael Nadal in 2005. With a real chance to continue his epic, since the star in the making will be opposed to Italian Lorenzo Sonego (55th in the world) in the next round.
