ACAPULCO, Mexico (AP) — American teenager Learner Tien beat top-seeded Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to move into the quarterfinals of the Mexican Open in Acapulco
It was his second career win over a top-five player. The 19-year-old from California defeated Daniil Medvedev (5) in the second round of the Australian Open in January when he reached the fourth round.
The left-handed Tien is the youngest player to win his first two matches against top-five opponents.
“I just went out there and tried to control my side of the court,” Tien said in comments on the ATP website. “Obviously I knew it was going to be a tough match. To come through feels great… I think just focussing on what I can control and keeping my cool as best as I can has really taken me a long way.”
Tien is next playing eighth-seeded Tomas Machac, who advanced after beating Daniel Altmaier 7-6 (3), 6-1.
