Learner Tien had faced this opponent before at the Australian Open. It was in 2025 to be exact. He faced [11] Daniil Medvedev in the round of sixty-four. That encounter went five rounds, with the American winning in a fifth set tiebreaker. They would meet again later that year in Beijing, again with Tien winning. There third encounter was also last year at the Shanghai Masters, that time the victory went to Medvedev. Their matches have always been competitive and have never been a straight set event until last night.

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Learner Tien Puts On A Clinic Against Medvedev

It seemed that everything Medvedev tried, [25] Learner Tien countered better and with a winner. He was the younger and fitter of the two and that showed in his movement around the court. However, most impressive was his execution and his tennis savvy. He knew when to utilize the drop shot and he kept the Russian in a disrupted state. The result, he won 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 to become the youngest American to advance to the second week of the Australian Open since 2003.

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American Paul Amongst Fallen Seeds

[17] Victoria Mboko lost 1-6, 6-7(7) to [1] Aryna Sabalenka. [19] Tommy Paul had his opportunity in the first set. The problem with player higher ranked players is that opportunities are often few and one must capitalize when they present. Paul found that out the hard way. [1] Carlos Alcaraz won 7-6(6), 6-4, 7-5. [10] Alexander Bublik lost 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 to [6] Alex de Minaur. [8] Mirra Andreeva lost 2-6, 4-6 to [12] Elina Svitolina. [18] Francisco Cerundolo lost to [3] Alexander Zverev 2-6, 4-6, 4-6.

Coco Gauff Amongst Other Victorious Americans

For the first time in their history, [19] Karolina Muchova took a set from [3] Coco Gauff. Gauff led their H2H 4:0 going into this match and that streak continues to 5:0. However, this time Gauff did not win in straight sets, she won 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

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[29] Iva Jovic was simply brilliant in her match against Yulia Putintseva. She frustrated her opponent and was relentless. Putintseva never held her serve. Jovic won 6-0, 6-1. Unfortunately, next up for the American is the number one ranked player on the WTA Tour.

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