"Doesn't get enough credit": Learner Tien gets revenge on the player he called "crazy talented" after Shanghai win

Sunday, 05 October 2025 at 08:30

Learner Tien chose his colleague Corentin Moutet as the talent who ‘doesn’t get enough credit’ for the quality of player he is. The World No. 36 arrived in Shanghai inspired after a dream week at the China Open, where he reached his first ATP final, falling to Italian Jannik Sinner.

The American managed to sustain his momentum this week in his appearance at the Shanghai Masters, where he debuted just a few days after playing his first final. Tien is already set for the third round after defeating Frenchman Corentin Moutet in three sets, in what was their third official meeting. “He’s a great player. He’s really tricky. I feel he doesn’t get enough credit for how good of a tennis player he is.”

“I mean, he’s crazy talented, makes it so hard for you to win some of these points. I knew it was going to be a tough match. He beat me in straight sets on grass,” Tien added after a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory over the 33rd seed. “Every time we’ve played each other it’s been so hot, conditions have been so tough. So, yeah I’m super happy to come through.”

The 19-year-old now has 8 wins in his last 10 appearances—including victories over rivals like Lorenzo Musetti and Daniil Medvedev—and is preparing to challenge the 30th seed Cameron Norrie for a spot in the Round of 16 at the Shanghai Masters.

Tien’s ascent and goals

The lefthander has become one of the most prominent players of the new generation, following strong campaigns in 2024. He qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals, being one of the lesser-known names in the tournament. However, he managed to reach the final, where he fell to Brazilian Joao Fonseca.

Nevertheless, that was just a glimpse of what was to come in his notable 2025, where he has accumulated 5 wins against Top 10 players, surpassed only by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Tien not only achieved important victories but also several deep runs in major tournaments. After reaching his first ATP final, he achieved his best ranking, entering the Top 40 for the first time in his career. Just a year ago, he had not yet crossed the Top 120 barrier.

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The 19-year-old still has room for improvement for the rest of the season, currently sitting at No. 33 in the ATP Race. With this, he has a clear possibility of finishing the year inside the Top 32, which would eventually give him a position as a seed at the 2026 Australian Open and maintain that status in the rest of the Grand Slam tournaments and several Masters 1000 events—like Indian Wells and Miami Open early next year.

Tien is currently focused only on his next challenge against Norrie, to be played this Monday, October 6th. After Shanghai, the American has a week off followed by the Vienna Open qualifying two weeks later, before playing the Paris Masters—the last Masters 1000 of the year—where he could secure a seed position if he continues to advance rounds this week in Shanghai.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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