Alexander Zverev advanced to the Australian Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets victory over Francisco Cerundolo. The German world No. 3 won 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours on Rod Laver Arena. He now awaits Learner Tien, who upset Daniil Medvedev in another fourth-round match.
Alexander Zverev, the 28-year-old German and last year's finalist, confirmed his status as a title contender at the Australian Open by dismantling Francisco Cerundolo 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday. The match lasted exactly two hours, showcasing Zverev's clinical form on the hard courts of Rod Laver Arena. This victory marks his fifth career quarterfinal appearance at the tournament and improves his head-to-head record against the 27-year-old Argentinian to 3-0 on hard courts, reversing losses from their first three meetings in 2024 and 2025.
Zverev, seeded No. 3, had faced challenges earlier, dropping sets to Cameron Norrie, Alexandre Muller, and Gabriel Diallo in the opening week. Against Cerundolo, the No. 18 seed and world No. 21, he elevated his game, breaking serve early in each set with his towering height and deep backhand to counter the Argentinian's aggressive forehand. Cerundolo had been in top form, not dropping a set in his first three matches, including a straight-sets upset over No. 13 Andrey Rublev.
In the other key fourth-round clash, 20-year-old American sensation Learner Tien, the No. 25 seed, stunned former champion Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Medvedev, the No. 11 seed, admitted he struggled to find solutions: "I was trying to figure out what can I do to kind of disturb his level that he had at this moment. He played great, super-aggressive. Even when I was making good shots, he was making a better shot back. Didn’t find many solutions today on the court, which is rare."
Tien, coached by former French Open champion Michael Chang, expressed gratitude for the guidance: "It’s great to have been able to add Michael to the team. It’s special to have a legend like him by my side. He hasn’t stopped helping me since he arrived. I love the vision he has, as well as his experience."
Former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski praised Tien's progress on his podcast: "The guy who has impressed me a lot is Learner Tien. He has hired a certain guy by the name of Michael Chang... That really shows intent. I have a feeling that he is one to watch out for in 2026."
Zverev enters the quarterfinal with a 5-1 record in 2026, poised to challenge for his first Grand Slam title against the rising American. No American has won a major since Andy Roddick in 2003.
