Teen Qualifier Learner Tien Stuns Daniil Medvedev As Jannik Sinner Roars Again In Australian Open

Teenage qualifier Learner Tien shocked final yr’s Australian Open runner-up Daniil Medvedev in an epic match ending at practically 3:00 am Friday after defending champion Jannik Sinner roared again to take his place within the third spherical. Taylor Fritz was an emphatic winner in his pursuit of a maiden main title however thrilling 18-year-old Joao Fonseca was edged out in a five-set thriller. The 19-year-old American Tien emerged over a gruelling 4 hours and 48 minutes of nailbiting motion to defeat Russia’s Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (8/10), 1-6, 7-6 (10/7).

The 121st-ranked Tien subsequent faces France’s 69th-ranked Corentin Moutet after the most important win in his younger profession.

Tien had defeated Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in 5 units within the first spherical for his maiden victory at a Grand Slam on the fourth try.

“I used to be positively hoping it was not going to go to a fifth-set tie breaker,” stated Tien.

“However simply actually comfortable to get a win. I do know I made it so much tougher than it may have been, however no matter.”

It was a painful exit for former world primary Medvedev, who has misplaced three of the final 4 finals at Melbourne Park together with to Sinner in 2024.

Earlier than the late-night drama, top-ranked Sinner dropped a set for the primary time in 14 matches when he misplaced the opener to Australian wildcard Tristan Schoolkate.

However he wrested again management after a sluggish begin to undergo 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 in opposition to the world quantity 173 at a cool and breezy Rod Laver Enviornment.

It was Sinner’s sixteenth consecutive victory in an ominous signal for subsequent opponent Marcos Giron.

“It is all the time robust to play in opposition to somebody I do not know very effectively. He was enjoying a lot better than I used to be originally,” stated the Italian, 23, who additionally gained the US Open final yr.

“I’ve to be very pleased with my efficiency and by no means take issues without any consideration. Very glad to be within the subsequent spherical.

“I can enhance, sure, however I am going to take it.”

Fritz swept by to a third-round conflict in opposition to Gael Monfils with a brutal show of energy hitting and has dropped simply eight video games within the match to date.

The American fourth seed was untouchable on Margaret Courtroom Enviornment, swatting apart Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 in 82 minutes.

Fritz solely gave up 5 video games to blitz previous Jenson Brooksby within the first spherical and has spent barely three hours on courtroom.

“At all times feels nice to come back out and play a match like that,” stated Fritz, final yr’s US Open finalist.

The supremely proficient Fonseca has been tipped for the highest by Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, who has stated he sees shades of himself within the Brazilian.

However having shocked ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight units within the first spherical, {the teenager} went right down to Lorenzo Sonego, the Italian pulling by 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to disappoint the vocal Brazilian followers.

Sonego’s reward is a conflict in opposition to Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan, who took down seventeenth seed Frances Tiafoe, additionally in 5 units.

Ruthless Swiatek

Within the ladies’s draw, Iga Swiatek arrange a showdown with Emma Raducanu within the subsequent spherical.

Swiatek raced previous world quantity 49 Rebecca Sramkova 6-0, 6-2 whereas Britain’s Raducanu reached the third spherical for the primary time at Melbourne Park by beating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-5.

“Properly for certain it should be a troublesome one,” world quantity two Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam winner however by no means a Melbourne champion, stated as she sized up Raducanu.

“Emma can play nice tennis. Everyone knows that.”

Raducanu is searching for to claw up the rankings after an injury-hit 2024 and return to the shape that introduced her a shock US Open crown in 2021 as a qualifier.

“It is going to be an excellent match for me,” stated the 22-year-old.

Elena Rybakina, the sixth seed and former Wimbledon champion, raced previous American wildcard Iva Jovic in straight units.

Emma Navarro, the eighth seed from america, will face Ons Jabeur subsequent after battling by three units to beat China’s 108th-ranked Wang Xiyu.

The Tunisian three-time Grand Slam finalist Jabeur suffered an bronchial asthma assault in a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Colombia’s Camila Osorio.

“Very, very robust to breathe,” she stated, including that she could not have continued if she had misplaced the primary set.

Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini made mild work of Renata Zarazua of Mexico, profitable 6-2, 6-3 regardless of some early nerves.

Djokovic, Alcaraz and ladies’s primary and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka all play on a blockbuster Friday.

So do Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, who’re on a collision course to satisfy within the subsequent spherical ought to they each win.

(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is printed from a syndicated feed.)