Last year’s runner-up Daniil Medvedev was dumped out in the Australian Open second round early Friday morning by 19-year-old qualifier Learner Tien in a massive Melbourne shock. In his debut Australian Open, the American ranked 121 stunned the world number five 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (8/10), 1-6, 7-6 (10/7) in a nailbiter and faces France’s Corentin Moutet in the next round. With the time ticking towards 3:00 am, the left-handed Californian Tien soaked up the applause at Margaret Court Arena after the biggest win of his young career.

The pair did battle over a gruelling four hours and 48 minutes of seesawing action that was punctuated near its denouement by a short rain break.

Tien had defeated Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in five sets in the first round for his maiden victory at a Grand Slam at the fourth attempt.

It was a meek exit for Russia’s former world number one Medvedev, who has lost three of the last four finals at Melbourne Park including to Jannik Sinner in 2024.

The 28-year-old Medvedev needed five sets to beat the 418th-ranked Kasidit Samrej on Tuesday in his first match of the season, smashing his racquet and a net camera in a rage at one point.

He started more serenely against Tien but errors crept into his play and Tien shook off any early nerves by clinching the first set in 47 minutes.

Tien showed his mettle and his pedigree in the eighth game by prevailing in one gruelling 32-shot rally.