MUNICH, April 13, 2025

Learner Tien headlined the action in the final round of qualifying at the BMW Open by Bitpanda, easing past two-time Munich runner-up Botic van de Zandschulp from the Netherlands, 6-2, 6-2. The 19-year-old US-American, who is competing his first ATP Tour event on European soil, broke his rival’s serve five times to advance to the main draw after one hour and 16 minutes.

Good morning from Munich where teenager Learner Tien headlines the action, competing in his first ATP event on European soil.

Claims the opening set against two-time @BMWOpen500
runner-up Botic van de Zandschulp. #ATPTour #Munich#BMWOpen pic.twitter.com/ZndO9qmeFs

— Florian Heer (@Florian_Heer) April 13, 2025

“It was really good today. I felt much better on court today compared to yesterday,” Tien said after his second win on the new Center Court of the MTTC Iphitos on Sunday. “I am kind of settling on the red clay, as I don’t have that much experience on it, especially in Europe. The clay is different from the one in the U.S.

“The tournament here is great. A lot of people come out. Stands are packed at all the matches I have seen so far. It’s my first time in Germany. I really love the weather. I don’t mind not really having the sun. The conditions are good, I am feeling great.”

Success in Australia

Tien, who clinched three titles on the ATP Challenger Tour last year, made a name of himself earlier this season when he reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, defeating former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev along the way.

“It was great. It was my first time playing the men’s event at the Australian Open. I didn’t go into the tournament with a lot of expectations, so it was really good,” the California native said about his experience Down Under.

His journey in Munich will continue in the first round against Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor. Borna Gojo of Croatia, Chun-Hsin Tseng from Chinese Taipei and Kazakh Alexander Bublik also qualified for the main draw of the ATP 500 event. Alexander Shevchenko from Kazakhstan, Briton Billy Harris and van de Zandschulp all punched late tickets for the main event, entering as lucky losers.

Defending Champ Struff eyes turnaround in Munich

Meanwhile, defending champion Jan-Lennard Struff has returned to the capital city of Bavaria, where he captured his maiden ATP Tour title last year.

“It’s really great to be back here. The tournament has done an amazing job and truly deserves to be an ATP 500 event,” Struff said on Sunday. “I’ve always felt comfortable here over the past years. Last year was special, winning my first title here, and it’s great to come back. A lot of memories come flooding back. It’s really nice to be in Munich again.”

Things haven’t exactly gone according to plan for Struff lately. However, the World No. 49, who won his last match in Marseille in mid-February and is now coached by Markus Wislsperger, remains confident that a turnaround is near.

“Results-wise, things haven’t gone particularly well lately, but I’m working hard to turn things around — and maybe this week is the perfect opportunity to do just that,” said Struff. The 34-year-old German will play No. 5 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in his first-round match on Tuesday.

The BMW Open by Bitpanda main draw gets underway on Monday when the top two seeds will play their opening matches. Home favourite Alexander Zverev will take on Frenchman Alexandre Muller and US-American Ben Shelton faces qualifier Gojo.