Match report

Late night learners! Tien is about to surprise Medvedev

The American leads the fifth seed in Melbourne 6-3, 7-6(4).

January 16, 2025

The learner Tien is just one set away from reaching the third round of the Australian Open. The American qualifier leads fifth seed and three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(4) in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Tien, No. 121 in the PIF ATP rankings, recovered from a breakdown in each set to raise hopes of a major upset. The 19-year-old is aiming to become the second-youngest American to reach the third round of the Australian Open, after 18-year-old Pete Sampras in 1990.

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— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 16, 2025

Tien’s consistent, methodical approach has often drawn parallels to Medvedev’s, but the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF finalist took the initiative in many lengthy rallies to advance in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head series. According to Infosys Stats, Medvedev failed on his own serve in the first two sets, winning just 19 percent (6/32) points behind his second throw.

Medvedev will try to draw on his previous experiences in his comeback. The 28-year-old has come from two sets down in four competitions in his career, including against Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the Australian Open last year.