FAIRFIELD, October 14, 2024 (Press Release)
The brilliant breakout season of Learner Tien continued Sunday as the 18-year-old phenom won the Taub/Kennedy-Grossman Solano Challenger in commanding fashion.
Tien defeated veteran Australian Bernard Tomic, 31, 6-0, 6-1. It was Tien’s third ATP Challenger Tour title in 2024 in just his second professional season.
TOO POWERFUL
The moment Tien aces his way to a 3⃣rd title of the season #ATPChallenger | @usta pic.twitter.com/ZUmMZAwEzR
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 13, 2024
“I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I am in,” Tien told the crowd after the ATP Challenger Tour 75 event in Fairfield. “I have a long ways to go. Hopefully I can keep this momentum going. I’m very grateful for all the people who helped me get here.”
Tien blazed through the tournament at Solano Community College, winning 21 straight games. It continued an excellent season in which the Irvine native won 28 straight matches from May to July. His previous Challenger titles came earlier this season in Michigan and Las Vegas.
Sunday’s final lasted only 39 minutes. Tien broke Tomic’s serve five times during the match knocked down six aces. Tomic struggled throughout the match and had six double faults.
“Once I lost those first two or three games, it was tough mentally to stay on track,” he said after the match. “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep up with my legs.” But he also noted that the match was his first final “in ages” and said he “had to respect this moment.”
And he had plenty of praise for Tien, telling him he had “a bright future and I believe you can do wonderful things in tennis.”
Tomic has also been having a great season this year, finishing in the quarterfinals or better in eight different tournaments. He is hoping to continue to push his rank below 200 so he can qualify for the Australian Open, his home country where he is still a crowd favorite. He is on the path toward making a comeback to the ATP Tour where he has four career titles and has earned some $6.4 million since he turned pro in 2008.
