Melbourne, Jan 27 (NationPress) Alexander Zverev advanced to his third consecutive Australian Open semifinal on Tuesday, putting a stop to the impressive journey of American rising star Learner Tien with a win inside the closed roof of Rod Laver Arena.

The German player achieved his 10th Grand Slam semifinal by defeating the 25th seed with scores of 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1, 7-6(3), setting up a high-stakes matchup against either world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz or Australia’s Alex de Minaur.

Ranked No. 3 in the world, Zverev relied heavily on his serve during the match, delivering 24 aces and successfully saving all three break points he encountered, each with unreturned serves. One pivotal serve came at 5-6 in the fourth set, thwarting Tien's chance to push for a final set. Zverev also dominated short exchanges, winning 106 out of 0–4 shot rallies versus Tien's 68.

“The learner from the baseline was playing unbelievably. I don't think I've faced anyone who plays that well from the baseline in a long time. Without my [24] aces, I probably would not have won today. I'm very pleased with my serve and just happy to be back in the semis,” Zverev remarked about the 20-year-old after the match, receiving a warm reception from the audience.

Seeded 25th, Tien entered the match brimming with confidence after his stunning victory over Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round. He showcased his tenacity by overcoming a 3–5 deficit in the second-set tie-break. That momentarily shifted the momentum, but Zverev quickly countered with another strong serving performance to dominate the third set and regain control.

Although Tien thrived in extended rallies, utilizing sharp angles and consistency instead of sheer power, Zverev’s capability to earn free points on serve consistently kept the American on the defensive. These easy points allowed the German to play freely during return games and dictate the match's rhythm.

Zverev eventually clinched the victory in a tense fourth-set tie-break, racing to a 6–0 lead before a rare double fault introduced a moment of drama. However, it was merely a minor setback as he sealed the match to reach his 10th Grand Slam semifinal and his first since last year’s Australian Open.

Despite finishing the 2025 season ranked No. 3, Zverev previously described the year as “incredibly unsatisfying” after securing just one title in Munich. His performance in Melbourne, including recent victories over Francisco Cerúndolo and Tien, both of whom had defeated him last season, indicates a player meeting his own high standards once more.