Learner Tien said he had taken inspiration from the upsets masterminded by Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik after stunning three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open on Thursday.

Tien came through a near five-hour epic to beat Medvedev, runner-up at Melbourne Park in 2021, 2022 and 2024, 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (8-10) 1-6 7-6 (10-7) on Margaret Court Arena.

In the process, the 19-year-old American became the first qualifier to claim an ATP top-five win at the Australian Open since Guillermo Garcia Lopez, who defeated Carlos Moya in 2005 (R128). 

His victory continued a theme of this year's tournament, which had already seen Jakub Mensik eliminate sixth seed Casper Ruud and Joao Fonseca beat ninth seed Andrey Rublev.

Since 1973, this year's Australian Open is only the third grand slam where three different teenagers have claimed ATP top-10 wins, after Roland-Garros in 1990 and 2006.

Asked if triumphs by Mensik and Fonseca had served as motivation ahead of his own second-round clash, Tien said: "I think it was definitely pretty inspiring. 

"They obviously got those wins before I played my match today. I was just trying to join them. 

"I think just seeing them... the wins they've had this week just added a little bit more belief that it was possible."

"Honestly in the fourth set, I just had to pee so bad... I was just trying to finish it up fairly quick." 

Learner Tien • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/CPeFvEeXcy

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025

Tien will face Corentin Moutet in the third round on Saturday, but his primary focus is on recovery after coming through a four-hour, 53-minute slog.

"It hasn't really set in yet, I don't think. I'm just pretty happy to be off the court," he said.

"I don't think I've played a match that long ever, or even spent that much time on a tennis court straight. 

"Honestly, I'm just glad to be off. Obviously I'm really happy, but I don't think it has fully hit me yet."