Daniil Medvedev’s unbeaten start to the season ended in the Australian Open fourth round on Sunday, where Learner Tien swept past the former World No. 1, 6-4, 6-0, 6-3. Medvedev came into the match at 8-0 in 2026 and was a three-time finalist in Melbourne, but he struggled to find answers against the 20-year-old American.
Medvedev’s Reflection on the Loss
Medvedev, 29, said he intends to keep the loss in perspective. He pointed to strong form over the past eight tournaments dating back to the US Open, noting deep runs, wins over top opponents, and two demanding victories earlier this week against Quentin Halys and Fabian Marozsan.
The Russian has shown signs of resurgence since the Asian swing in September. Now working with coaches Thomas Johansson and Rohan Goetzke, he has lifted titles in Almaty and Brisbane and earned recent Top 10 wins over Alexander Zverev and Alex de Minaur.
Sunday’s result continues a challenging matchup for Medvedev against Tien. He now trails the American 1-3 in their head-to-head, with Tien also defeating him in Melbourne last year. Tien, the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion, dictated with aggressive play that left Medvedev few openings.
Medvedev acknowledged he was outplayed and felt he did not adapt quickly enough to disrupt Tien’s rhythm, even as he emphasized the broader progress in his game. He is scheduled to return at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam, where he won the title in 2023.
Looking ahead, Medvedev remains focused on improving his performance and reclaiming his status among the top players. Fans can expect to see him bounce back as he prepares for upcoming tournaments and continues to develop his game under the guidance of his coaching team.