A battle of grit, cramps, and redemption – Daniil Medvedev finally breaks his losing streak against Learner Tien in Shanghai.
For tennis fans who’ve been following this intriguing match-up, this victory carries more than just points – it’s personal. Just last week in Beijing, Medvedev was forced to retire mid-match against Tien due to severe cramps. Add the heartbreak of their Australian Open encounter earlier this year, where Tien triumphed after a marathon five-set clash ending close to 3 a.m., and you’ve got a rivalry charged with physical and mental drama. But tonight in Shanghai, the former World No. 1 wasn’t going to let history repeat itself.
On Wednesday night in China, the 29-year-old Russian dug deep to fend off both his opponent and his own body in a dramatic three-set contest, winning 7-6(6), 6-7(1), 6-4 after nearly three hours of high-intensity play at the Rolex Shanghai Masters. Facing 19-year-old American lefty and #NextGenATP talent Learner Tien – currently ranked just outside the top 30 – Medvedev fought through a brutal second-set cramp, this time refusing to let physical pain end his campaign. Instead, he rallied back for his first victory in three meetings against the rising star.
Reflecting on the match, Medvedev gave Tien high praise, calling him "an unbelievable player" despite lacking the huge serve many top pros rely on. "Serve is so important in tennis, and without it, to be 19 years old and ranked around 30 in the world – that’s impressive," Medvedev said. He noted that while many modern players rely heavily on power and a dominating serve, Tien’s talent springs from his exceptional feel for the game itself. "Honestly, I thought I was going to lose," Medvedev admitted, emphasizing the severity of his cramps and his surprise at pulling out the win.
This wasn’t a straightforward victory. In the first set, Medvedev lost his initial chance to serve it out at 5-4 but regrouped to edge the tie-break. In the second, he surged ahead 3-0, only for Tien to storm back and dominate a tie-break where Medvedev was barely able to move, his right leg locking up in pain. At that point, most spectators thought the match was slipping away. But after the set changeover, Medvedev’s movement improved, and he returned to his trademark relentless baseline game. Frustrations visible and muttered under his breath, he still managed a decisive break at 4-4 in the final set, sealing a hard-fought win.
The rivalry between these two has quickly become one of the more compelling stories on the ATP Tour in 2025 – each match filled with tension, momentum shifts, and questions about staying power. Now, with his Shanghai quarter-final berth secured, Medvedev moves on to face seventh seed Alex de Minaur, who earlier dispatched Nuno Borges 7-5, 6-2.
But here’s where debate could heat up: is Medvedev’s praise for Tien’s skill without a strong serve a genuine compliment or subtle psychological gamesmanship ahead of future showdowns? And will this match mark the turning point in their head-to-head battles, or will Tien return with a vengeance?
What do you think – is this the start of Medvedev reclaiming dominance, or just a temporary victory in a rivalry still leaning toward the young American? Drop your thoughts below.
