Teen Qualifier Tien Stuns Medvedev in Epic Australian Open Match

MELBOURNE, Australia — Teenage qualifier Learner Tien stunned last year’s Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev in a grueling five-set thriller that ended at nearly 3:00 a.m. Friday, marking one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. The 19-year-old American triumphed 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (8/10), 1-6, 7-6 (10/7) after four hours and 48 minutes of intense play.

Tien, ranked 121st in the world, secured the biggest win of his young career, setting up a third-round clash against France’s Corentin Moutet. “I was definitely hoping it was not going to go to a fifth-set tiebreaker,” Tien said. “But just really happy to get a win. I know I made it a lot harder than it could have been, but whatever.”

Medvedev, a former world No. 1 and three-time Australian Open finalist, suffered another early exit in Melbourne. The Russian has lost three of the last four finals at the tournament, including to defending champion Jannik Sinner earlier this year.

Sinner, the top seed, also advanced to the third round but not without a scare. The Italian dropped his first set in 14 matches against Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate before rallying to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. “It’s always tough to play against someone I don’t know very well,” Sinner said. “He was playing much better than I was at the beginning. I have to be very happy with my performance and never take things for granted.”

Meanwhile, American fourth seed Taylor Fritz continued his dominant run, crushing Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 in just 82 minutes. Fritz, who has dropped only eight games in the tournament so far, will face France’s Gael Monfils in the next round.

In other matches, 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, tipped as a future star by Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, fell to Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in a five-set battle. Sonego prevailed 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, setting up a clash with Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan.

In the women’s draw, world No. 2 Iga Swiatek breezed past Rebecca Sramkova 6-0, 6-2, while Britain’s Emma Raducanu defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-5 to set up a highly anticipated third-round meeting with Swiatek. “Emma can play great tennis. We all know that,” Swiatek said of her next opponent.

Elsewhere, sixth seed Elena Rybakina and eighth seed Emma Navarro advanced, with Navarro set to face Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, who overcame an asthma attack during her victory over Camila Osorio. “Very, very tough to breathe,” Jabeur said. “I may not have continued if I had lost the first set.”

The tournament continues Friday with blockbuster matches featuring Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka.