Can Learner Tien Upset Top Seed Ben Shelton in Mallorca?
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Synopsis
In a thrilling showdown at the Mallorca Championships, 19-year-old Learner Tien stunned top seed Ben Shelton, marking his third Top 10 victory. Tien's performance showcased his resilience and skill as he advanced to the quarterfinals, ready to face Corentin Moutet. Discover the highlights of this exciting match and what’s next for the young star.
Key Takeaways
- Learner Tien achieves his third Top 10 victory.
- He overcame Ben Shelton in a thrilling match.
- Tien's comeback from 1-4 down in the second set underscores his resilience.
- He is set to face Corentin Moutet next in the quarterfinals.
- Moutet also showcased impressive skills with his underhand serve.
Mallorca (Spain), June 25 (NationPress) – The American prodigy Learner Tien achieved a remarkable feat on Wednesday by securing his third Top 10 victory, overcoming fellow American and top seed Ben Shelton with a score of 6-4, 7-6(2) to advance to the quarterfinals of the Mallorca Championships.
The 19-year-old displayed exceptional focus, committing 16 fewer unforced errors than Shelton (22-38) and making a stunning comeback from 1-4 down in the second set to clinch victory after one hour and 41 minutes, marking their inaugural ATP head-to-head clash.
"I believed my returns were quite effective today," Tien remarked. "Serving was challenging due to the wind; my toss was unstable, but I managed to return well and created several opportunities on return games."
Tien, who has previously triumphed over Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev this year, is now the youngest player to defeat a Top-10 opponent on grass since Felix Auger-Aliassime bested Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Queen’s Club in 2019. With this victory, Tien moves into his third tour-level quarterfinal, where he will face Corentin Moutet from France in the ATP 250 grass-court event.
Moutet, who recently upset Taylor Fritz at the Queen's Club, utilized the underhand serve effectively, executing as many as six in his second-round win against Daniel Altmaier of Germany on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old from Paris claimed three points through his underarm serve as he defeated Altmaier 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in a match lasting two hours and 14 minutes, marking his first quarterfinal appearance of 2025.
In other matches, Alex Michelsen overcame Brandon Holt with a score of 6-4, 6-4. Michelsen, who faced his friend Tien in the semifinals at the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, will meet Roberto Bautista Agut in the quarterfinals in Mallorca. Bautista Agut, a semifinalist at The Queen's Club last week, secured his place by defeating Bernard Tomic 6-3, 6-3.
Currently ranked No. 83 in the ATP Rankings, Moutet holds a commendable 6-2 record in Mallorca, as per the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, having reached the quarterfinals in 2023.
Point of View
Learner Tien's remarkable victory over Ben Shelton not only highlights his growing prowess on the ATP Tour but also reflects the emerging talent in American tennis. As he prepares for his next match, the sports community eagerly anticipates his continued success and potential impact on future tournaments.
NationPress
25/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Learner Tien?
Learner Tien is a 19-year-old American tennis player who has made headlines for his impressive victories, including wins against top players like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev.
What was the score of the match between Tien and Shelton?
Learner Tien defeated Ben Shelton with a score of 6-4, 7-6(2) in the Mallorca Championships.
What is Tien's next match?
Tien will face Corentin Moutet in the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 grass-court event in Mallorca.
