Learner Tien’s fairytale run at the China Open was put to an end on Wednesday after he lost to Jannik Sinner in the final.
Sinner, who also won the title in 2023, was simply too good for the young American, winning the contest 6-2, 6-2.
However, the American will take great pride in his performance, as few would have expected him to defeat both Lorenzo Musetti and Daniil Medvedev on his way to the final.
The 19-year-old has been a known quantity on the ATP Tour since his upset victory against Medvedev at the Australian Open, and he has continued to prove his worth since appointing former Grand Slam champion Michael Chang as his coach.
As evidenced by his performance in China this week, Tien has already made great strides under the guidance of Chang.
Learner Tien has utilised Michael Chang’s experience as a player
Michael Chang remains one of the most iconic players in the history of tennis.
The former world number two remains the youngest male player to have won a Grand Slam singles title, having captured the 1989 French Open at the age of 17.
Chang, who has also coached Kei Nishikori, began working with Tien before the Washington Open in July this year.
“I’ve never worked with a coach that has played professionally before, not at least at that level,” Tien told reporters in China.
“I think the experience he has playing and coaching brings a lot because I’m kind of someone starting off and I don’t have that much experience.
“To have a coach that kind of has been through what I’m going through currently, kind of knows the day-to-day, what I could be thinking, how I could be feeling, it’s great.
“I think you don’t have to be a good player to be a good coach. I think just the experience he has from playing and coaching previously has just really helped me a lot.
“It’s a new perspective that’s really kind of opened my eyes. A fresh face, fresh voice has just been great.”
Jannik Sinner’s dominant performance
Learner Tien could do little to mitigate the dominance of Jannik Sinner during Wednesday’s final.
As per Sofascore, the Italian won 77 per cent of his first serve points, 56 per cent of his second serve points, while saving the only two break-points he faced on serve.
Meanwhile, Tien struggled for consistency, making just 51 per cent of his first serves, winning just 55 per cent of those points.
The American also served six double faults and failed to register a single ace. Comparatively, Sinner served 10 aces and recorded just one double fault.
