The Tien masterclass: American prodigy stuns Medvedev in Melbourne blueprint
Learner Tien defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 on Sunday night to reach his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal. The 20-year-old No 25 seed produced a flawless display to become the youngest man to reach the Australian Open final eight since 2015, knocking out the three-time finalist in just under two hours.
Lerner Tien, 2026 | © AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/SIPA
Learner Tien defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 on Sunday night to deliver one of the most complete performances in recent Australian Open history.
The 20-year-old American world No 29 dismantled the No 11 seed with a clinical efficiency that left the former champion smiling in disbelief at the back of the court. In a match that can be labelled as a A++ masterclass, Tien became the first player to defeat Medvedev in 2026 and the youngest man to reach a Melbourne quarterfinal since Nick Kyrgios in 2015.
The Fourth Round matches (Sunday / Monday)
- Alcaraz (1) vs. Paul (19) – completed
- Bublik (10) vs. De Minaur (6)
- Zverev (3) vs. Cerundolo (18)
- Medvedev (11) vs. Tien (25) – completed
___________________________ - Musetti (5) vs. Fritz (9)
- Djokovic (4) vs. Mensik (16)
- Shelton (8) vs. Ruud (12)
- Sinner (2) vs. Darderi (22)
An Eleven-Game Surge and Statistical Perfection
The turning point came late in the first set, sparking a run of dominance rarely seen against a player of Medvedev’s caliber. From 4-4 in the opener, Tien reeled off 11 consecutive games to lead 6-4, 6-0, 4-0.
During a second-set “bagel” that lasted just over 20 minutes, the young American hit 13 winners to just one unforced error, winning over 60% of all rallies regardless of length. Medvedev, usually the tour’s premier problem-solver, was reduced to a spectator as Tien closed out the match with a sensational backhand down-the-line passing shot on a Medvedev overhead.
This victory marks the second consecutive year that Tien has eliminated Medvedev at the Australian Open, though this three-set routine stood in stark contrast to their five-set marathon in 2025. Tien’s path to this maiden quarterfinal has been a test of both endurance and skill, having survived a five-set battle against Marcos Giron (7-6 (2), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2) earlier in the week, alongside wins over Alexander Shevchenko and Nuno Borges.
Eyeing the Semifinals and a Date with Zverev
For Tien, reaching his first Grand Slam quarterfinal is the realization of the massive potential he has shown since his breakout 2025 season.
Having won 11 of his first 13 matches in 2026, the left-handed American is now the talk of the tournament. He has yet to be overawed by the occasion or the stature of his opponents, a trait that will be vital as he prepares to face the No 3 seed Alexander Zverev on Tuesday.
