A quick Learner, Tien making tweaks in second full year on tour

Sometimes a player’s ranking isn’t a fair representation of their actual season but in Tien’s case, the numbers are almost identical. 

He is ranked No. 19, while his ranking in the race to the Nitto ATP Finals prior to Monday’s play at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers sat at No. 22. 

Among his highlights this year, the 20-year-old American made his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open, first Masters quarterfinal in Indian Wells and landed his first clay-court title in Geneva. 

Consistency for younger players can be an issue, but Tien has only lost his opening match at tournaments twice. 

READ: Montreal Match “Shark Bites”: Previewing Tuesday's Quarterfinal Matches

Have there been bumps along the way? Of course. 

A fatigued Tien had to go to hospital after he lost a second round match at Wimbledon, necessitating an IV drip. 

Last season, he notched a five-hour win over Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open that introduced him to the tennis world in a big way. 

Most would agree Tien has had an excellent 2026 campaign. He is the second youngest player inside the top 20, only behind Rafael Jodar, 19. 

He continues to tweak his game, especially since opponents are making adjustments when they play him.

“Definitely scouting reports are more detailed on me,” he said. “I've been around a little longer where people kind of know my game. But I think it's been good for me to have to improve and kind of adapt to people not being so caught off guard by how I play.

“I think it's kind of exposed a few things, maybe, that I feel like I need to work on, and I think it's been great for my game. Late in the year last year and a bit this year I've started playing guys the second and third time around.”

His results indicate, though, that Tien seems to be a quick, pardon the pun, learner. 

That includes in Montreal. 

Tien beat Gael Monfils and Tommy Paul in his opening two matches, then bettered Thiago Tirante, in a physical two sets. 

Several rallies against Tirante on Sunday went past the 20-shot mark, most going Tien’s way. 

Asked about his mindset in such rallies, Tien called it an “investment.”

You are “just sending a message to the other guy that you're willing to play these long rallies, and a lot of the time it really pays off,” he said. 

Five of the eight quarterfinalists remaining in Montreal are under 22. Tien’s next foe is 21-year-old Spaniard  Daniel Merida, on Tuesday. 

“I think all the younger guys are playing with a lot of confidence,” he said. “I think we're playing free against the older guys. I think they want to prove themselves.”

“I think it's great for the sport. I think all the younger guys are also pushing each other. You know one guy has a great week and another guy kind of wants to match that and so on.” 

Photo: Tim Austen/Tennis Canada