In a stunning display, 20-year-old Learner Tien defeated three-time Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals. The American's aggressive play overwhelmed the Russian, marking the latest win in their budding rivalry. Tien now faces Alexander Zverev next.
Learner Tien Stuns Medvedev at Australian Open
Learner Tien produced a commanding performance on January 25, 2026, at Melbourne Park, dismissing Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 in the fourth round of the Australian Open. The match lasted approximately 100 minutes, with Tien clinching the opening set via a forehand winner and then reeling off 12 of the next 15 games. Despite a brief medical timeout for a nosebleed in the third game, Tien maintained his rhythm, finishing with 33 winners to 16 unforced errors, compared to Medvedev's 15 winners and 30 errors.
Medvedev entered the match with an 8-0 season record, fresh off his 22nd career title in Brisbane. However, he struggled to counter Tien's baseline aggression. "He played great, super-aggressive. Even when I was making good shots, he was making a better shot back," Medvedev said post-match. He lost three of four career meetings against Tien, including a five-set epic in Melbourne last year and another en route to Tien's Beijing final.
Reflecting on the defeat, Medvedev emphasized perspective: "I should focus more on the general picture and just continue working the way I did for the last tournaments... Of course, it’s unfortunate to finish a Grand Slam like this when I was feeling well and confident, but it is what it is." He dismissed physical fatigue from prior matches against Quentin Halys and Fabian Marozsan, noting he felt fine.
For Tien, the victory made him the youngest men's quarterfinalist at the Australian Open since Nick Kyrgios in 2015 and the youngest American since Andy Roddick in 2002. "It feels amazing... Every year since I’ve been coming here, the crowd support has been amazing," Tien said. Now ranked No. 24 in the live PIF ATP Rankings and fresh off the Next Gen ATP Finals title, he faces world No. 3 Alexander Zverev, who advanced by beating Francisco Cerundolo 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Medvedev, a former world No. 1, will next compete at the ATP 500 in Rotterdam, where he won in 2023.