Learner Tien Writes History With Breakthrough Grand Slam Run, Beats Daniil Medvedev

Last Updated:January 25, 2026, 15:20 IST

Learner Tien beats Daniil Medvedev to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinals, becoming the youngest American since Andy Roddick at the US Open.

Learner Tien will take on Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals (Picture credit: AP)

United States star Learner Tien on Sunday, January 25, thrashed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to become the youngest American to reach his maiden men’s singles Grand Slam quarterfinals since Andy Roddick at the US Open in 2001.

Tien is currently 20 years old, while Roddick was still a teenager, at 19. He is also the youngest men’s singles quarterfinalist at Melbourne Park since Nick Kyrgios in 2015. The latter was 19.

Tien, who capped a breakout 2025 by winning the ATP Next Gen title, crushed the Russian 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 in just 1hr 42 mins on Margaret Court Arena.

The win put 25th seed Tien into a last-eight clash with third-seeded German Alexander Zverev.

“It feels amazing. I mean, so special to do it, especially here. It is always so special for me to come back and play here. Every year since I have been coming here, the crowd support has been amazing," Tien said after the match.

“I don’t know why, honestly, a crowd like this with this much energy and support, it means the world to me to do it here," Tien added.

The loss marked a bitter exit for former world No. 1 Medvedev, who had also been eliminated last year by then-teenage qualifier Tien in a gruelling five-set encounter.

This time, the 11th seed Medvedev, who reached three of the last five finals in Melbourne, was a shadow of his former self.

Tien broke to signal his intent, but his momentum was interrupted when he needed treatment for a nosebleed.

Medvedev and Tien resumed after a seven-minute break, with the latter taking the set.

After that, it was all Tien, who reeled off 10 straight games as Medvedev imploded, cutting a dejected figure.

Medvedev woke up and, against the run of play, won three games to give himself a glimmer of hope, before Tien seized back control and sprinted to the finish.

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