American teenager Learner Tien chased his dream at the 2025 Australian Open, beating Corentin Moutet 7-6(10), 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday to become the youngest man to reach the fourth round in Melbourne Park since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
A historic race
At just 19 years old, Tien, ranked world number 121, has taken Melbourne by storm. His three-set victory over Moutet came just two days after his shock five-set triumph over former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, a result widely considered the surprise of the tournament.
“It’s really great, obviously,” Tien said after his victory. “It exceeded my expectations coming into this week. You expect to win every game, but to be in the second week is incredible. »
Tien’s success makes him the youngest American man to reach the fourth round in Melbourne since an 18-year-old Pete Sampras in 1990, a testament to his composure and skill under pressure.
The match
Facing the more experienced Corentin Moutet, Tien showed maturity beyond his years. The Californian adapted to Moutet’s clever play and took full advantage of the Frenchman’s struggles with an upper left leg problem.
Despite Moutet’s physical problems, Tien’s level never wavered. The left-handed teenager held his own in a grueling first set tiebreak, saving three set points before winning 12-10. From there, he dominated with precise returns and clever shot selection to close out the match in straight sets.
The Last Teenager Standing
Tien’s journey to Melbourne comes amid a tournament that has seen several teenagers make a splash, including Brazilian Joao Fonseca and Czech Jakub Mensik. However, with the elimination of Fonseca and Mensik, Tien now carries the torch as the final teenager in the men’s draw.
-As he prepares to face unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round, Tien will aim to extend his historic run.
Young American stars shine
Tien isn’t the only young American attracting attention in Melbourne. Twenty-year-old Alex Michelsen also advanced to the fourth round with a dominant victory over 2023 semi-finalist Karen Khachanov of Russia, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2.
Michelsen, who upset 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round, became the youngest American to earn multiple top-20 victories at a Grand Slam since Sampras and Andre Agassi at the 1990 US Open.
The rise of Tien
In a tournament dominated by veterans like 37-year-old Novak Djokovic and 38-year-old Gael Monfils, Tien’s emergence is a breath of fresh air. His blend of athleticism and composure captivated fans and sparked hope for the next generation of American men’s tennis.
With his sights set on a quarter-final berth, Tien knows the challenges ahead but remains grounded.
“I just take the matches one by one,” Tien said. “I’m going to continue to try to play my best and see where it takes me. »
