Tien Triumphs in Thrilling Tie-break Battle Against Mensik in Jeddah

Learner Tien Claims Impressive Debut Victory at Next Gen ATP Finals

19-year-old American Learner Tien delivered a memorable performance on Wednesday at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, claiming a hard-fought win over Jakub Mensik in a gripping five-set encounter. With his victory, Tien moves to 1-0 in the Blue Group, setting the tone for a potential breakthrough in his debut at this prestigious event.

Tien’s 4-3(6), 4-3(3), 2-4, 2-4, 4-3(8) triumph was built on a series of clutch tie-breaks and composure under pressure. Facing the 21-year-old Mensik, who served up an impressive 20 aces, Tien proved his resilience in a match that saw both players exchange momentum throughout. Despite being pushed to the brink, Tien held firm, saving a match point in the final set to secure the win after two hours and 15 minutes of intense play.

Reflecting on the match, Tien acknowledged the difficulty of facing a player with such a powerful serve. He said, “It was tough playing a guy that serves that well. It puts a lot of pressure on your serve. When you get your chance, you have to capitalise, because you don’t know when you’re going to get more.” His ability to seize the moment when it counted most proved pivotal in his victory.

The American’s left-handed playing style was on full display as he capitalized on every opportunity. A standout moment came during the second-set tie-break, where Tien displayed his calm under pressure, winning four consecutive points from the back foot to race to a 6/2 lead. The match reached its pinnacle when he delivered a stunning lob over Mensik, closing out the breaker in dominant fashion. Tien’s coach, Eric Diaz, praised his charge’s tactical approach, particularly his flat backhand, which played a significant role in his success.

Despite trailing two sets to love, Mensik, the ATP Newcomer of the Year, didn’t back down and fought back with some powerful serving. Mensik managed to push the match into the fifth set, where he earned a match point. However, Tien’s mental toughness and clutch tie-break performance in the final set ultimately secured the victory.

With the win, Tien will now focus on his next match in the Blue Group against Arthur Fils or Joao Fonseca on Thursday. For Mensik, the road to a victory in Jeddah continues, as he aims to bounce back from this defeat and secure his first win in the group.

This victory marks a significant milestone in Tien’s young career. The 19-year-old has already achieved three ATP Challenger Tour titles in 2024, showing great promise as a future star of the sport. Tien’s performance in Jeddah not only underscores his talent but also his ability to perform under the bright lights of the Next Gen ATP Finals, a key stage for emerging talents in men’s tennis.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Tien, who has already made an impression with his fighting spirit and composure. With his ability to rise to the occasion in key moments, he is one of the most exciting young players to watch in the coming years.