In a stunning upset at the Australian Open, 19-year-old American qualifier Learner Tien defeated three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in a grueling five-set match that concluded just before 3 a.m. The match, lasting 4 hours and 49 minutes, ended with Tien triumphing 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(10-7).
This victory propels Tien, ranked 121st globally, into the third round, making him the youngest American man to reach this stage at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras in 1990. Despite facing a formidable opponent in Medvedev, Tien maintained composure and resilience throughout the match, even after missing a match point in the third set.
The match was not without its challenges; a brief rain delay at 2:30 a.m. interrupted play during the decisive fifth set. Upon resumption, Medvedev broke Tien's serve to lead 6-5, but Tien immediately broke back, forcing a tiebreaker. Demonstrating remarkable mental fortitude, Tien secured the victory in the match tiebreak, winning six of the last seven points.
Following his monumental win, Tien celebrated in a relatable fashion—by indulging in a pepperoni pizza during his post-match press conference. He humorously remarked, "It was either going to be celebratory or a binge eat... it feels better, it's more celebratory, for sure."
Tien's next challenge will be against Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the third round. As he continues his impressive run, Tien's performance has garnered significant attention, marking him as a rising star in the tennis world.
