Learner Tien, 19 years old and 121st in the world, shakes Russian giant Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open. An epic match where the young American…
The 2025 Australian Open already has its share of surprises in store for us. In the second round, it was the young American Learner Tien, 19 years old and 121st in the world, who caused a sensation by upsetting one of the tournament favorites, the Russian Daniil Medvedev, number 5 in the ATP.
A constant fight
On the Margaret Court Arena, the match between the two men promises to be epic from the first exchanges. Medvedev, finalist of the tournament in 2021 and 2022, is surprised by the audacity and passion of his young opponent. Tien, from the qualifications, has nothing to lose and is playing his luck bravely.
The first set is fiercely contested. The two players are tied until 5-5, when suddenly Tien makes the break with a sumptuous backhand along the line. He immediately won the round 6-5, to the cheers of the conquered public.
Medvedev falters but does not break
Stung, Medvedev reacted in the second set. The Russian relies on his experience and his powerful serve to regain the ascendancy. Despite great resistance, Tien ended up giving in 6-3. The American suffers the blow physically but does not give up.
I knew it was going to be tough against such a player. But I held on and gave my all on every point. I didn’t give up anything.
Tien said after the match
Hope gives life
In fact, while many saw Medvedev flying to victory, Tien started again in the third set. Supported by the Australian public who adopted this young outsider with his flamboyant game, he managed another break to lead 4-3 and get a set point on the opponent’s serve!
Medvedev barely escapes but Tien does not tremble when serving to win the set: 6-4. Overjoyed, he raises his arms to the sky. The feat is within reach of your racket!
Experience has spoken
Unfortunately for the young American, the Medvedev roller coaster was too high at the end. Despite tremendous resistance from Tien who saved several match points, the Russian metronome ended up winning 6-3 in the fourth set, not without having to pull out all the stops.
If the defeat is necessarily cruel, Learner Tien’s performance remains very promising for the rest of his career. There is no doubt that we will closely follow the next outings of this precocious talent, who has just proven in Melbourne that he has the weapons to compete with the best.
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