Key Takeaways:

• Learner Tien, a 19-year-old qualifier from California, upsets No. 5 seed Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open.
• The match lasted four hours and 49 minutes, ending around 3 a.m. local time.
• Tien becomes the youngest American man to reach the third round at the Australian Open since Pete Sampras in 1990.
• The 19-year-old showed remarkable composure, rallying after losing two sets to secure his victory.

MELBOURNE, Jan 16 (Reuters) - In a stunning upset at the Australian Open, American teenager Learner Tien outlasted three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev in a gripping five-set match. The encounter, characterized by its intensity, concluded with a score of 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-7(8), 1-6, 7-6(7). Tien, aged 19 and ranked No. 121, displayed remarkable skill and tenacity to defeat the No. 5 seed in an impressive showing, becoming the youngest American to reach the third round since Pete Sampras in 1990.

The high-stakes match commenced late Thursday night and concluded in the early hours of Friday, lasting nearly five hours. Tien took a strong lead, winning the first two sets, but faced a tough challenge as Medvedev clawed back to force a decisive fifth set. Tien later showcased a cool composure in the final moments, delivering a remarkable performance that culminated in a hard-fought victory.

Reflecting on his win, Tien stated, “I was just really happy to get a win. I know I made it a lot harder than maybe it could have been. But whatever.” His confidence was evident as he remained unfazed throughout the match, even recovering after losing the fourth set swiftly to secure the victory in a tense tiebreaker.

The clash was more than just a battle of physical endurance; it highlighted the mounting pressure Medvedev faced, culminating in moments of frustration where he was seen tossing his racket and displaying visible signs of annoyance. This match marked Tien's breakout performance on the Grand Slam stage, having previously struggled in earlier appearances.

Having achieved national prominence, Tien also spoke of his family, expressing gratitude for their support despite being unable to attend the match. “I love you guys. Thank you for always supporting me from across the world," he shared during his post-match interview.

Tien's journey continues as he prepares to face Frenchman Corentin Moutet in the third round, marking yet another significant moment in his burgeoning career. His victory against Medvedev is a landmark achievement, placing him among the brightest young talents in tennis today. For further insights, read more on Reuters.