Learner Tien’s brilliant start to the year continued with his first-ever victory at Indian Wells.
The rising American defeated Adam Walton in straight sets to confirm his place in the third round of the Masters event.
Tien, who recently received praise from Novak Djokovic, has hit a career ranking high of World No. 23 following his impressive results in 2026.
The American’s straight sets victory against Walton has seen him overtake Sam Querrey and Taylor Fritz in one particular area.
Learner Tien hits 50 ATP Tour victories at Indian Wells
Tien picked up his 50th ATP Tour victory at Indian Wells, but he has even more reason to celebrate the milestone.
The young American is now the second youngest American male player to hit 50 wins, sitting just behind Andy Roddick.
If you were in charge of tennis, what is the first rule you would change?
American stars age when hitting 50 ATP Tour wins
- Andy Roddick: 19 years & 4 months:
- Learner Tien: 20 years & 3 months
- Alex Michelsen: 20 years & 5 months
- Sam Querrey: 20 years & 10 months
- Taylor Fritz: 20 years & 11 months
Tien has hit the impressive milestone at a younger age than his contemporaries Alex Michelsen and Fritz.
He has also overtaken American tennis legend Querrey, who reached World No. 11 in the rankings and made it to a Wimbledon semi-final.
Tien will be hoping he can continue to emulate the success of his American contemporaries, particularly Roddick, who remains the last man from the nation to lift a Grand Slam title.
Who does Learner Tien play next at Indian Wells?
Having hit another American tennis milestone, Tien will head to the third round of Indian Wells brimming with confidence.
Tien will face an American rival in his next match at Indian Wells, against another rising star in Ben Shelton.
Shelton and Tien have only played once on the ATP Tour, having met on the grass of the Mallorca Open in 2025.
What is your bold prediction for the 2026 tennis season?
Tien won that match in straight sets, but a hardcourt meeting could level the playing field between the two Americans.
Tien will start the match 14 places below his next opponent in the ATP Tour rankings, and Shelton has been in fine form too in 2026.
He reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and followed it up by winning the Dallas Open in February.
In front of a packed American crowd, it could be an absolute classic between Tien and Shelton at Indian Wells.
