Tien stuns Rublev in Washington. The 19-year-old is now a rising giant slayer

At the ATP 500 event in Washington, Learner Tien continued his breakout season with a statement win over world No. 10 Andrey Rublev, 7–5, 6–2.

The 19-year-old Californian, currently ranked No. 67, delivered another composed and confident performance — reinforcing his growing reputation as a player who has little regard for rankings and reputations alike.

The opening set remained close until Tien found a way to break through, pressuring Rublev into mistakes in the closing games. From there, the young American stepped up his serve and took control of more rallies, keeping Rublev on the defensive. In the second set, the match tilted quickly — an early break, steady holds, and the top seed was out before he could recover.

The numbers backed up the story. Tien won 61% of points on his second serve and a remarkable 69% when returning Rublev’s second serve. He saved 7 of 8 break points and converted most of his own chances. Despite both players landing just over half of their first serves, Tien handled pressure with more composure, particularly in extended rallies.

For those following his 2025 season, this wasn’t unexpected. It was his fourth victory over a top-10 player this year, following wins over Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev in Acapulco, and Ben Shelton in Mallorca. He may still be considered a newcomer, but he’s already challenging the established order.

Tien was born in Irvine, California, to a Vietnamese-Chinese family. His mother is a math teacher, his father works in law. The name “Learner” was chosen deliberately — a nod to the value of growth over performance. After a strong junior career and a doubles title at the 2023 Australian Open juniors, he moved into the pro ranks quickly. In 2024, he won several Challenger titles, becoming the youngest American in nearly a decade to do so.

His style is not flashy, but it’s effective. He reads the game early, keeps his choices simple, and plays big points with a cool head. His coach, Eric Diaz — known for his work in college tennis and his eye for disciplined talent — says Tien showed a champion’s mentality even as a teenager.

He’s still carving out his place on tour, but matches like this one are pushing him forward. Soon enough, he won’t be the underdog in these matchups.

Cover photo: Wikimedia Commons