Learner Tien Comes Of Age On The Big Stage

Coached by fellow Southern Californian Michael Chang, the sky is the restrict for Tien, who remains to be comparatively new to the ATP Tour and really a lot a piece in progress.

“I think he’s a very special individual,” his coach Michael Chang informed ATPTour.com this week. “He thinks a lot more than most players out on the court. He’s very much a fighter that people don’t see until they get into the thickness of it with him.”

Even Andre Agassi has raved about Tien.

“He has learned the game phenomenally well. He is incredibly gifted, not just with his game, but with his mind,” Agassi mentioned final yr at an occasion in Hong Kong. “He has to beat sure bodily limitations versus different guys, so far as dimension and energy, however he is nonetheless so younger.”

Speaking of dimension and energy, Tien did handle to outace Shelton, who is among the greatest servers within the males’s recreation, 15 to eight throughout Sunday’s victory.

“Overall, I think my serve has improved,” Tien mentioned after bettering to 6-5 lifetime in opposition to the Top 10 and turning into the youngest American man to succeed in the spherical of 16 within the California desert since 2012.

With every passing victory, it turns into obvious that Tien is not only a sensible participant with restricted weapons. He’s the entire package deal.

The American will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina within the spherical of 16 on Tuesday.