MELBOURNE — In a stunning and brutal collapse, third seed Daniil Medvedev crashed out of the Australian Open on Friday, losing 11 consecutive games to surrender a commanding lead against an inspired Learner Tien. The 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 defeat on Rod Laver Arena marked one of the most shocking and lopsided losses of Medvedev’s career, sending shockwaves through the tournament and leaving the former finalist searching for answers.
Medvedev, renowned for his granite-like defense and strategic prowess, appeared in control early, breaking the young American’s serve to take a 4-2 lead in the first set. However, the momentum shifted irrevocably when Tien broke back. From 4-2 down in the first, Tien reeled off an astonishing 11 straight games, winning the first set 6-4 and storming to a 5-0 lead in the second, completely dismantling the Russian’s game plan and composure.
A Stunning Collapse and Tactical Puzzle
The nature of the defeat was particularly jarring. Medvedev, a two-time finalist in Melbourne and one of the tour’s most consistent hard-court performers, was rendered powerless. His signature deep-court positioning was exploited by Tien’s aggressive, flat hitting and willingness to come forward. Unforced errors flowed from Medvedev’s racquet, his first-serve percentage plummeted, and his famed problem-solving skills seemed to abandon him entirely during the catastrophic middle phase of the match.
In his post-match press conference, a visibly dejected Medvedev struggled to articulate what went wrong. "It’s tough to explain. I started well, I felt okay. Then, one moment, everything just fell apart," he confessed. "He started playing better, more aggressive, and I had no answer. I tried to change something, but nothing worked. Eleven games in a row… that doesn’t happen to me often. It’s a disaster."
Medvedev’s Candid Post-Match Reflections
Known for his forthright and sometimes philosophical assessments, Medvedev did not shy away from the magnitude of the loss. He highlighted the psychological toll of such a streak, admitting the match felt hopelessly out of reach long before the final point. His analysis pointed to a perfect storm of his own dip and Tien’s fearless ascent.
"When you lose so many games in a row, your mind starts to go to dark places," Medvedev said. "You think, ‘Maybe today is just not my day, maybe nothing I do will work.’ He was hitting winners from everywhere, and I was just a step slow, a thought late. In tennis, when confidence goes, sometimes it goes completely."
Medvedev also credited Tien, the 19-year-old who announced himself on the global stage with a performance of breathtaking power and maturity. "All credit to him. He played like he had nothing to lose, and when a player of his talent has that mindset, he is extremely dangerous. I don’t think I played my worst tennis ever, but he made me play bad. That’s the sign of a great performance."
The Rise of Learner Tien
For Learner Tien, the victory represents a career-defining breakthrough. Previously known primarily for his junior success, including back-to-back boys' singles titles at the US Open, he has now announced his arrival in the professional game in the most emphatic fashion possible. His game, built on a powerful left-handed serve and crushing groundstrokes, proved perfectly suited to the fast Melbourne courts.
Tien’s keys to victory were clear:
- Aggressive Returning: He took Medvedev’s second serve exceptionally early, denying the Russian time to set up his defensive patterns.
- Net Pressure: He won 22 of 28 net approaches, consistently following his heavy groundstrokes to the net to cut points short.
- Mental Fortitude: After going down an early break, he showed no nerves, sticking to his aggressive game plan without wavering.
In his on-court interview, an elated but humble Tien said, "I just tried to focus on my game and not look at the name on the other side of the net. Daniil is an incredible player, a hero of mine, so to get a win like this here… it’s a dream."
Broader Implications for the Tournament
Medvedev’s exit, following the earlier departure of other top seeds, has blown the bottom half of the men’s draw wide open. It represents a massive opportunity for the remaining contenders and continues a trend of surprising early results at this year’s championship. The loss also raises immediate questions about Medvedev’s trajectory as the season progresses.
What’s Next for Medvedev?
The defeat is a significant setback for Medvedev, who began the 2024 season with a title in Brisbane and was considered one of the prime contenders to challenge Novak Djokovic. The psychological impact of such a comprehensive loss, where solutions were elusive, can sometimes linger. He will need to regroup quickly with the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami looming on the horizon.
In his closing remarks, Medvedev struck a resigned but forward-looking tone. "This is sport. You have these days. It’s very painful, especially at a Slam where I have good memories. But you can’t change it. You have to accept it, as bitter as it is, and try to work harder so it doesn’t happen again."
Conclusion: A Night of Shock and Awe
The Australian Open has long been a tournament of surprises, but Daniil Medvedev’s third-round capitulation will stand out as one of its most dramatic plot twists. It was a match defined by a staggering 11-game sequence that turned a competitive battle into a one-sided exhibition of power tennis from Learner Tien. For Medvedev, it is a brutal exit to digest; for Tien, it is the arrival of a formidable new talent. The result serves as a stark reminder that in modern tennis, regardless of ranking or reputation, any player can be overtaken by a perfect storm of their own off-day and an opponent’s fearless brilliance.