With “a bit of luck” and even more, Learner Tien saves two match points to become youngest American quarterfinalist since Michael Chang
American 25th seed Learner Tien saves match points to reach the Indian Wells quarterfinals 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), becoming the youngest American to do so since Michael Chang. A triumph of the “nothing to lose” mindset
Learner Tien, Indian Wells 2026 | © Mal Taam/Cal Sport Media/Sipa
American Learner Tien, the No 25 seed, defeated Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, the No 18 seed, 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) to advance to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open on Tuesday night.
The match lasted two hours and eight minutes as the 20-year-old Californian fought back from a set down in front of a partisan home crowd. Davidovich Fokina appeared poised for victory when he earned two match points while leading 5-4 in the final set.
“Super-tough match”, Tien said in the post-match press conference. “Didn’t really feel super great coming out. Honestly, I felt like my energy levels were a bit low, but thought I was doing a great job just staying around and then picking it up in the third, and just happy to get through.”
About the match points, the American stated: “First one was a long rally. I don’t actually know how I hit that last shot. It was maybe a little bit lucky. I wasn’t trying to hit it that well. I was trying to get it down, but I wasn’t trying to hit that good of a shot. And then I was fortunate to hit a good serve on the second one.”
“Honestly, after saving match points going into the tiebreak, just felt like I was playing with house money, almost, and just loose, really had nothing to lose.”
Tien reaches his first career Masters 1000 quarterfinal and becomes the youngest American man to reach this stage at Indian Wells since his coach, Michael Chang, won the title in 1992. The world No 27 will now face the winner of the fourth-round match between Brazilian Joao Fonseca and Italian No 2 seed Jannik Sinner.
“He’s really helped me believe in myself,” Tien said regarding the influence of Michael Chang on his recent development. “We work really hard together and we prepare for moments like this.”
Tien remained aggressive under pressure and saved both opportunities with bold baseline hitting. He forced a decisive tie-break where his consistency eventually wore down the Spaniard.
Tien’s first quarterfinal in a Masters 1000
The key statistical standout was Tien’s resilience on serve as he saved four of the five break points he faced throughout the three sets. While Davidovich Fokina struck more winners, his 38 unforced errors proved costly during the critical moments of the third-set tie-break.
Davidovich Fokina took the opening set by exploiting Tien’s early nerves and breaking serve in the seventh game. Although the Spaniard held the momentum, Tien responded by dominating the second set with a high first-serve percentage and superior court coverage, converting two break points on two occasions.
The third set turned into a grueling battle of attrition as neither player surrendered their serve until the tie-break. Tien secured the win 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4) after Davidovich Fokina sent a final backhand long to end the marathon contest.
Indian Wells 2026, Men’s fourth round
- C. Alcaraz (1) – C. Ruud (13) : Wednesday
- R. Hijikata (Q) – C. Norrie (27) : Wednesday
- N. Djokovic (3) – J. Draper (14) : Wednesday
- D. Medvedev (11) – A. Michelsen : Wednesday
- A. Fils (30) – F. Auger-Aliassime (9) : 6-3, 7-6[9]
- A. Zverev (4) – F. Tiafoe (21) : 6-3, 6-4
- L. Tien (25) – A. Davidovich Fokina (18) : 4-6, 6-1, 7-6[4]
- J. Fonseca – J. Sinner (2) : Night session
