Alexander Zverev defeats Learner Tien to advance to the semifinals of the Australian Open.
No. 3 Alexander Zverev, the runner-up at last year’s Australian Open, advanced to the semifinals on Tuesday with a 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 7-6 (3) win over American Learner Tien, who was competing in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
The 20-year-old Tien, coached by former French Open champion Michael Chang, aimed to become the youngest male player to reach the semifinals in Melbourne in 34 years. Instead, it was the 28-year-old Zverev who made it to the semifinals in Australia for the fourth time, the highest number for a German man.
“Learner was playing unbelievably from the baseline,” remarked Zverev, clearly impressed. “I don’t recall facing anyone who has played that well from the baseline in a long time.”
“I’m not sure what Michael Chang has done with him during the offseason, but it’s remarkable. Without my 20-something aces, I likely would not have secured the win today.”
Indeed, Zverev reached his 10th Grand Slam semifinal, supported by 24 aces and only one double-fault, which occurred when he had six match points in the final tiebreaker.
Zverev and Tien played under the roof at Rod Laver Arena; the first of the four quarterfinals scheduled on Day 10 — featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Iva Jovic — took place outdoors, despite forecasts indicating temperatures could reach 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 Celsius) in Melbourne. Play was halted on outside courts throughout the afternoon.
Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz faced Alex De Minaur in the evening match. Alcaraz has secured six Grand Slam titles but has yet to win the Australian Open and has been eliminated in the quarterfinals for the past two years.
The Associated Press and PA contributed to this report.
Source: espn.com
