Daniil Medvedev was trying “to win one more” game through Learner Tien demolition at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia—At a certain point, Daniil Medvedev was just trying to get on the board.

“I was just trying to win one more,” he said after losing 11 straight games to Learner Tien during his 6-4, 6-0, 6-3 defeat to the young American at the 2026 Australian Open. “I mean, I was trying to figure out what can I do to kind of disturb his level that he had at this moment. I do want to say I guess I did something, because it became 4-3, and I even felt like, you know what, 4-3, it's small chance. Then, well, there was not a big chance finally.

“That's how I am no matter the score. I try to win one game at first, maybe one more after. The matches can turn a bit more probably in women's tennis, but in men's tennis as well we saw some crazy things. So, I just try to say to myself, like, ‘Till the last point, try to fight.’ Then the last point was not for me this time.”

Medvedev and Tien faced off for the first time at this tournament 12 months ago, with the American stunning Medvedev through five grueling sets in a late-night second round. The pair have played three more times since then, with Tien getting the better of the 2021 US Open champion in two out of the three.

Medvedev, who began the year by winning his 22nd ATP title in Brisbane, gave high praise to his opponent, who became the youngest American to reach a major quarterfinal since Andy Roddick in 2002.

“He played great, super-aggressive,” said Medvedev. “Even when I was making good shots, he was making a better shot back. Didn't find many solutions today on the court, which is rare, and I didn't feel that many times in my life like this. But, again, these things can happen.

“He had, like, unbelievable match where everything went in. It did happen to me as well a couple of times, and you even kind of feel sorry for your opponent, because, ‘Okay, I can go for tweener now and probably with closed eyes and make it.’ It happens. I should have, yeah, should have done maybe something a little bit better to try to disturb this rhythm of his.”

Still, Medvedev took positives from his best Grand Slam result in over a year, having lost before the third round in all major outings in 2025.

“I think I should focus more in general,” Medvedev said in his post-match press conference. “If we take last, like, maybe eight tournaments, let's say starting from US Open, so I don't know if it's, like, eight, nine, I played great. I beat a lot of players. I played great against some top players. In general, I was going far in the results. Even here, I won two very tough matches against opponents who played well, Halys and Fabian.

“So, I should try not to focus on this exact match, which was not good, because, I mean, he outplayed me, so that's not a good feeling. But I should focus more on the general picture and just continue working the way I did for the last tournaments.  And, again, if I manage to play good, beat all the players I have beaten in all these tournaments, I can get where I want. Of course, it's unfortunate to finish a Grand Slam like this when I was feeling well and confident, but it is what it is.”

Tien will look to maintain his level against No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev in the last eight.