Inspired by his mom's attendance, Learner Tien mounts Delray Beach comeback against Tiafoe

Learner Tien is proving to be one difficult opponent to close out at the Delray Beach Open.

In the round of 16, Miomir Kecmanovic stood two points from the finish line. Tien instead clawed back to oust the defending champion in a final-set tiebreaker.

Twenty-four hours later, Frances Tiafoe served for a place in the semifinals against the left-hander. But Tien once again dug deep to come out on top, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 7-5, over the 2018 title holder.

The 20-year-old had a little extra inspiration to turn the match around, as he would explain during an on-court interview.

“I saw my mom sitting up there when I was down 4-5 and I know if I lost, she was going to leave tomorrow,” he shared.

“I was kinda thinking that early in the match, at like 2-3 in the third maybe. But it really hit home when it was 4-5 and I could kind of see the end.”

For Tien, there were a few momentum swings that helped bring the victory together. The fourth seed staved off a pair of set points on Tiafoe’s serve in the 10th game of the opening set and regrouped again when Tiafoe generated a re-break for 6-5.

During the decider, Tien saved three break points to avoid falling behind a 5-2 double break in a crucial missed opportunity for his compatriot. This year’s Australian Open quarterfinalist would go on a four-game run to end the contest, winning 16 of the final 18 points in a stretch that culminated with breaking Tiafoe at love to reach his first semifinal of the season.

“I got down an early break, wasn’t looking too great. I prayed. I said, ‘God I trust your plan for this match.’ I just went out and competed,” he said.

Tien is seeking his second career ATP title, having captured his maiden trophy last November in Metz. The Irvine, Calif. native awaits the winner of a showdown between best friends Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.