American teenager Learner Tien continued his dream run at the 2025 Australian Open, defeating Corentin Moutet 7-6(10), 6-3, 6-3 on Saturday to become the youngest man to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park since Rafael Nadal in 2005.
A historic run
At just 19 years old, Tien, ranked world No. 121, has taken Melbourne by storm. His straight-sets victory over Moutet came only two days after his shocking five-set triumph over former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, a result widely regarded as the upset of the tournament.
“It feels great, obviously,” Tien said after his win. “This exceeded my expectations coming into this week. You expect to win every match, but to be in the second week is amazing.”
Tien’s success makes him the youngest American man to reach the fourth round in Melbourne since an 18-year-old Pete Sampras in 1990, a testament to his poise and skill under pressure.
The match
Facing the more experienced Corentin Moutet, Tien showcased a maturity beyond his years. The Californian adapted to Moutet’s crafty play and took full advantage when the Frenchman struggled with an upper left leg issue.
Despite the physical troubles for Moutet, Tien’s level never wavered. The left-handed teenager held his nerve in a grueling first-set tiebreak, saving three set points before clinching it 12-10. From there, he dominated with sharp returns and clever shot selection to close out the match in straight sets.
The last teen standing
Tien’s run at Melbourne comes in a tournament that has seen several teenagers make waves, including Brazil’s Joao Fonseca and Czech Republic’s Jakub Mensik. However, with Fonseca and Mensik eliminated, Tien now carries the mantle as the last teenager in the men’s draw.
As he prepares to face unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the fourth round, Tien will aim to extend his historic journey.
Young American stars shine
Tien isn’t the only young American turning heads in Melbourne. Twenty-year-old Alex Michelsen also advanced to the fourth round with a dominant win over Russian 2023 semifinalist Karen Khachanov, 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2.
Michelsen, who stunned 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round, became the youngest American to claim multiple top-20 victories at a Grand Slam since Sampras and Andre Agassi at the 1990 U.S. Open.
The rise of Tien
In a tournament dominated by veterans like 37-year-old Novak Djokovic and 38-year-old Gael Monfils, Tien’s emergence is a breath of fresh air. His blend of athleticism and composure has captivated fans and sparked hope for the next generation of American men’s tennis.
With his sights set on a quarterfinal berth, Tien knows the challenges ahead but remains grounded.
“I’m just taking it match by match,” Tien said. “I’ll keep trying to play my best and see where it takes me.”
