Jannik Sinner
Sinner on Tien’s Potential: ‘He’ll Be a Tough Competitor to Overcome’
The Italian emerged victorious against the 20-year-old on Thursday
March 13, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Jannik Sinner triumphed over Learner Tien at the BNP Paribas Open.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner’s dominant win against Learner Tien on Thursday didn’t alter his high regard for the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion.
The 24-year-old continued to impress during the BNP Paribas Open, defeating Tien with a commanding score of 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals. Sinner maintained control from the first serve, conceding only three games in their second meeting, and believes Tien’s challenges will only intensify as he advances.
“He’s making significant physical improvements,” noted Sinner. “He’s definitely going to be a formidable opponent in the future.”
“Today’s result doesn’t overshadow his progress. His groundstrokes are becoming much stronger.”
While Tien may not have showcased his best performance against Sinner, the 20-year-old American walks away with many positives. This tournament marked his inaugural ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final, with impressive victories over Ben Shelton and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, climbing him close to breaking into the Top 20 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the very first time. Sinner is eager to witness Tien’s continuous development.
“He’s already demonstrated remarkable form against both past and present top players,” Sinner stated. “It’ll be intriguing to observe how he evolves.”
Now, Sinner shifts his sights to the semi-final showdown against Alexander Zverev, who he leads 6-4 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head encounters. The Italian has navigated the Californian desert without dropping a set thus far, aiming to extend that momentum into his match against the German.
However, Sinner recognizes that to clinch his first final at the ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, he must deliver his peak performance.
“I need to stay vigilant,” he shared. “I’ve observed a few of his matches, and he’s playing exceptional tennis. I intend to bring my absolute best to the court.”
“I’m excited about this opportunity. These are the confrontations I train for. The stakes are getting higher, and I’m thrilled to be here.”
