In a stunning display of youthful prowess, former world number one Daniil Medvedev has been handed the first bagel of his grand slam career, exiting the Australian Open at the hands of his young nemesis Learner Tien for the second consecutive year.
A Swift and Emphatic Victory
A year after their thrilling five-set battle in the second round, the much-improved Tien needed just one hour and 42 minutes to deliver a comprehensive 6-4 6-0 6-3 defeat inside Margaret Court Arena on Sunday. The emphatic second-set bagel saw Tien strike an impressive 13 winners with only one unforced error, while converting all three break point opportunities.
Medvedev's Struggles Continue
Medvedev's run to the fourth round marked a significant improvement over his form at last year's grand slams, where he failed to win a match at the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. However, this latest straight-sets defeat, coming just two years after his third runner-up finish in Melbourne, highlights how far he has fallen as a force in major tournaments.
Tien's Rising Star
Meanwhile, Tien is a star on the rise and will now test himself against world number three Alexander Zverev for a spot in the semifinals. The 20-year-old, who is the first man born in 2005 to reach a grand slam quarter-final, becomes the youngest Australian Open quarter-finalist since 2015.
"Feels amazing, so special, to do it especially here where it's always so special to come back and play every year," Tien said after the match. "This was a big goal for me this year and I'm just super happy."
The Australian Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, with Tien's victory serving as a testament to the next generation of tennis talent emerging on the global stage.
