By Erik Gudris | Saturday, Might 23, 2026
Photograph credit score: BNP Paribas Open Fb
Twenty-year-old Learner Tien is proving to be a fast research on learn how to win on totally different surfaces.
The rising American earned his second profession title, and first ever on clay, by successful the Gonet Geneva Open 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 over Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
One of many largest keys to Tien’s fast rise has been his ongoing teaching partnership with Michael Chang.
With as we speak’s title, the pupil matches one in all his coach’s personal data. Tien is now the youngest American man to win a European clay-court title since Chang received Roland Garros at age 17 in 1989.
“Simply need to give a particular thanks to my coach,” Tien stated to Chang throughout the ATP 250 occasion trophy ceremony after congratulating Navone for his week, “There have been a variety of days the place I believe he needed to be on the courtroom greater than I did. He’s all the time believed in me quite a bit, and I’m actually grateful for all you do.”
Tien continues to make strides on the purple dust this season after having reached the Spherical of 16 in Rome a couple of weeks in the past.
But Tien confronted a troublesome opponent within the closing towards World No. 42 Navone, himself having received Bucharest earlier this 12 months. Navone additionally knocked out former three-time occasion winner Casper Ruud within the semifinals.
The opening set noticed each males battle in prolonged video games proper from the beginning. Navone finally secured a key service break. Main 5-3, he ripped a potent backhand passing shot on set level to interrupt Tien once more for 6-3.
Tien managed to interrupt Navone halfway by the second set. He then leveled at 6-3 to power a decider.
The ultimate set proved very shut, even after Tien jumped forward 3-1 with a break. Navone broke again, received to 3-all, after which later each males discovered themselves at 5-all.
Tien held for 6-5 and compelled Navone to try to serve issues right into a tiebreak. That’s when Tien made his transfer.
The American, with forceful play, opened up a 15-40 lead on Navone’s serve, and with that two match factors. Navone saved the primary one. But it surely was Tien who pressured a forehand error from Navone on the second match level to seal the three-set victory.
“I really feel unbelievable. Tremendous robust match as we speak. It began out actually robust,” Tien stated afterward to ATP.com. “I believe the primary couple video games have been longer than my first set yesterday, so a extremely robust match. Actually comfortable to return by.”
“I believe Mariano performs wonderful tennis,” Tien added, “We actually pushed one another and I’m actually comfortable to return by.”
Tien, who will rise to a career-high rating of World No. 18 subsequent week, will face Cristian Garin within the first spherical of Roland Garros.
