World no. 3 Alexander Zverev is through to his tenth Major semi-final at the Australian Open, the first in a year.
The German faced the young American Learnen Tien in the quarter-final and prevailed 6-3, 6-7, 6-1, 7-6 in three hours and 11 minutes.
Learner Tien had an acute case of finding the right angles in this match 🫡
The youngster can walk out with his head held high 👏@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/Vv2Rxltupx
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2026
World no. 3 fired 24 aces and made the difference behind the second serve. Both players hit over 50 winners, and Alexander tamed his strokes more efficiently, maintaining a high level and remaining on the title course.
Zverev denied all three break points and took 27 points more than the 20-year-old. Last year's finalist created seven chances on the return and converted three in sets one and three.
Tien fought well and missed a set point at 6-5 in the fourth set. Thus, he wasted a chance to send the clash into a decider. The German grabbed a break in the sixth game of the opening set after the rival's backhand error.
Alexander saved a break point in game seven with a service winner and held for a 5-2 advantage. World no. 3 served for the opener at 5-3 and fired an ace to bring the first part of the duel home in 36 minutes.
Alexander Zverev, Australian Open 2026© Stream screenshot
They served well in the opening seven games of the second set before a left-hander earned a break chance at 4-3. Zverev erased it with an ace and locked the result at 4-4 before stepping in on the return in the next one from 15-40.
Learnen saved a break point and held to remain on the positive side. They provided three fine holds and introduced a tie break. Tien landed a volley winner at 2-4 before netting a backhand in the eighth point.
The American bounced back and landed a forehand winner at 5-5 for a set point. The young gun seized it with a forehand crosscourt winner, leveling the overall score after an hour and 42 minutes.
Zverev bounced back and took charge in the third set, outplaying his rival on serve and return in half an hour. Learnen saved a break point in the fourth game with an ace before the favorite landed a forehand return winner on the second to move in front.
Learnen Tien & Alexander Zverev, Australian Open 2026© Stream screenshot
Last year's finalist broke at 15 in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead and fired a forehand down the line winner in game seven to close the set and move closer to the finish line after two hours and ten minutes.
Learnen recovered his level and denied a break point in the fifth game of the fourth set with a forehand down the line winner to remain in contention. They served well in the next six games.
Alexander held at love in game ten for 5-5 before serving to stay in the set for the second time at 5-6. He faced a set point and saved it with a powerful serve before holding for 6-6 and another tie break with a volley winner.
Zverev grabbed an early mini-break and moved 3-0 up with two strong serves. Learnen missed a forehand in the fourth point, and Alexander painted a backhand down the line winner for a 5-0 lead.
The American placed a forehand long in the sixth point and faced six match points. He denied three before the German seized the fourth with a forced error, moving into his tenth Major semi-final.
