In a match that had fans on the edge of their seats until the very end, 19-year-old American qualifier Learner Tien stunned three-time Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev with a breathtaking 7-set victory, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(7), in a late-night showdown that kept the crowd roaring until nearly 3 a.m. 🌙✨
Tien, born in California to Vietnamese parents, showcased remarkable resilience and skill on his Australian Open debut. After overcoming Camilo Ugo Carabelli in a grueling five-set opener, he faced the Russian powerhouse Medvedev in the third round at Margaret Court Arena.
The young lefthander surged ahead by taking the first set from a 3-1 deficit and maintained his momentum into a fiercely contested second set, ultimately clinching the tiebreak with a cool forehand winner. However, Medvedev rallied back in the third and fourth sets, pushing the match to a nail-biting decider.
Despite facing match points, Tien dug deep, delivering a series of dazzling shots and enduring intense rallies that kept the audience enthralled. A brief rain delay couldn't dampen his spirits as he battled through the first-to-10 tiebreak, ultimately securing the match with six of the final seven points.
\"I was just really happy to get a win. I know I made it a lot harder than maybe it could have been. But you know, whatever,\" Tien shared with the cheering crowd, highlighting his determination and sportsmanship.
This victory marks the biggest upset of the Melbourne tournament so far and makes Tien the youngest American man to reach the third round at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras did so at 18 in 1990. 🎉👏
