Daniil Medvedev Believes Learner Tien ‘Could be World No.1 in the Future’ After Exciting Battle in Shanghai

Daniil Medvedev praised Learner Tien after a hard-fought three-set victory at the Shanghai Masters on Wednesday. The Russian triumphed 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 to avenge his loss to the American in Beijing just over a week earlier. His win set up a quarter-final clash with world No. 7 Alex de Minaur, who earlier defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2 to secure his spot in the last eight.

The opening set saw both players engage in long rallies and intense exchanges. Medvedev broke first in the ninth game, but Tien immediately responded with a break of his own. After both held under pressure, Medvedev sealed the tiebreak with a brilliant lob winner that sent the crowd into applause.

The second set mirrored the first, with multiple breaks on both sides. However, Medvedev began to struggle physically, calling for medical attention before the tiebreak. Tien took full advantage, dominating the set as the Russian fought through cramps.

I don’t have the exact words, but in my opinion, he’s an impressive tennis player. When I say ‘tennis player,’ I mean the whole thing, the whole tennis player. He doesn’t have a serve, and the serve is the most important thing in modern tennis. He doesn’t have an incredible serve, and yet he’s capable of playing sensational tennis at just 19 years old…I think he could be world number one in the future.

Despite clear discomfort, Medvedev managed to steady himself in the deciding set. The quality of play dipped at times with both players producing several double faults, but the former world No. 1 broke in the ninth game to secure the win. After the match, Medvedev commended Tien’s effort and maturity, noting that the young American made him “fight for every point.”

Elsewhere in the tournament, de Minaur continued his strong run and remains one of the highest-ranked players left in the draw following several top-seed exits. Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime also advanced with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti.

He will next face France’s Arthur Rinderknech, who reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final by beating Jiri Lehecka. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is set to play Belgium’s Zizou Bergs on Thursday for a place in the semi-finals.

Daniil Medvedev edges past Learner Tien

Former World No.1 Daniil Medvedev battled through physical struggles to secure a dramatic win over Learner Tien at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. The 29-year-old Russian showed grit and composure on Wednesday night, recovering from severe cramp to win 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4 on the hard courts of China. The victory came just over a week after Medvedev was forced to retire against the same opponent in Beijing due to similar issues.

The match was a tense, nearly three-hour duel filled with momentum swings. Medvedev missed a chance to serve out the first set at 5-4 but steadied himself to claim it in a tie-break. He then stormed to a 3-0 lead in the second set before Tien mounted a strong comeback. As the cramps returned, Medvedev was barely able to move, allowing the American teenager to dominate the second-set tie-break.

Despite appearing on the brink of collapse, Medvedev’s condition improved during the break between sets. He found renewed energy and returned to his trademark consistency in the decider. Although visibly frustrated at times, the 2019 Shanghai champion broke serve late in the third set and closed out the match to notch his first win in three encounters against Tien.

Each of their clashes has been filled with drama. Tien defeated Medvedev in a five-set Australian Open epic earlier this year, and their Beijing and Shanghai meetings have both been marked by Medvedev’s physical battles. Now through to his third Masters 1000 quarter-final of the season, Medvedev will meet Alex de Minaur next, after the Australian ousted Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2.

Daniil Medvedev in full resurgent mode

During a gruelling battle at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, Daniil Medvedev repeatedly told his team he was “done.” Late in the second set of his clash with Learner Tien, severe cramping left him close to retiring. At one point, he even started toward the net as if to concede, but he pushed on and refused to quit. That determination paid off as he edged the 19-year-old American 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4 in a dramatic three-set victory.

The win carried extra meaning for Medvedev, who had lost both of his previous matches against Tien. Their history added tension to this contest. Earlier in the year, Medvedev fell to Tien in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open after failing to serve out the match.

Just a week ago, he retired from their Beijing semi-final with cramps while trailing 0-4 in the third set. The Shanghai meeting seemed to be following the same script until Medvedev’s resilience took over.

Battling intense heat and humidity that had already forced several withdrawals from the tournament, Medvedev sought pickle juice early in the second set to fight off cramps. He led 3-0 and had chances for 4-0, but his movement deteriorated as the set continued.

Despite losing the second-set tiebreak badly, he stayed composed. In the decider, his serve steadied him, and he managed to outlast Tien in a two-hour, 52-minute marathon filled with grit and frustration.

The victory was one of Medvedev’s most meaningful in a tough season. The former world No. 1 has struggled for form in 2025, sitting 18th in the rankings and winning only one match across all four Grand Slams.

Since hiring Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke after parting with long-time coach Gilles Cervara, Medvedev has been working to rediscover his edge. With his first title since the 2023 Italian Open still eluding him, the Russian now turns his focus to a quarter-final clash with Alex de Minaur — a chance to prove he’s on the way back.

Also Read: Holger Rune Slams ATP for Not Having Heat Rule to Protect Players After String of Mid-Match Retirements in Shanghai