Daniil Medvedev's 2025 season has started in the worst possible way. The Russian champion finalist at Melbourne Park in 2021, 2022 and 2024 was eliminated already in the second round of the Australian Open by the young American talent Learner Tien (World No.121) after a very tough battle that ended late at night.
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This match was emblematic of all the current difficulties of the former world number 1, who has lost his certainties in the last twelve months and who is no longer able to make the difference in the decisive moments. The 2021 US Open champion risked losing much more easily, but he fought back after canceling a match point in the third set and stretched the challenge to the fifth set.
When inertia had shifted to his side and the 19-year-old American seemed tired, Medvedev did not have the strength to deliver the knockout blow and Tien's greater courage made the difference in the decisive super-tiebreak.
A tough loss
The current world number 5 left the court very disconsolate and sad, having realized that he was very far from the level he belonged to in the past. Daniil had not been eliminated in the second round of a Grand Slam tournament since 2018, when he lost to Hyeon Chung right here at Melbourne Park.
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If we consider that the Russian is coming off a 2024 in which he did not win a single title, questions are increasing about the player's future from Moscow.
This defeat will also have serious repercussions for Medvedev in the ATP ranking, as he will not be able to defend the final reached last year.
Daniil will lose 1250 points and say goodbye to the Top 5. The Russian ace could also be overtaken by players like Alex de Minaur, Novak Djokovic and Tommy Paul if the latter go on in the tournament.
The feeling is that the Russian's mind was marked by the atrocious mockery suffered in the final of the 2024 AO. Ahead of Jannik Sinner by two sets, Medvedev suffered a truly incredible comeback that prevented him from lifting the second Major title of his career and started the darkest period since he became a top player.
