Learner Tien beat Bublik, entering the world's top 20 for the first time.

(NLĐO) - Learner Tien staged a comeback to defeat Bublik in the third round of the Rome Masters 2026, advancing to the fourth round and making his first appearance in the ATP top 20.

Vietnamese-American tennis player Learner Tien (ranked 21st in ATP) continued to make waves at the Rome Masters by brilliantly coming from behind to defeat the 9th seed Alexander Bublik (ranked 11th in ATP) with a score of 2-1 (4-6, 6-3, 7-5) in the third round early on May 11th.

This victory marks the first time Tien has defeated a top 50 player on clay, and the fourth time in 2026 that he has beaten an opponent in the ATP top 20.

The impressive result at the Rome Masters also helped the 20-year-old break into the ATP top 20 for the first time in his career, rising to 19th place in the ATP Live rankings.

Facing an opponent known for his unpredictable and erratic playing style, Learner Tien did not get off to a smooth start. Bublik capitalized on his opportunities to win the opening set 6-4, putting significant pressure on the Vietnamese-born player.

However, Learner Tien quickly demonstrated remarkable composure. In the second set, he played more consistently in his service games, patiently holding his ground in rallies to gradually bring the match back to a balanced state. This stability helped the Vietnamese-American player win 6-3, forcing the match into a deciding set.

The third set was incredibly tense, with both players constantly trading blows. In a crucial moment in game 11, Learner Tien successfully capitalized on a break point before closing out an impressive comeback with a 7-5 victory.

In the next round, Tien will face a more manageable opponent in the form of the Spanish player Rafael Jodar, the 32nd seed in the tournament.

Continuing his run deep at the Rome Masters not only demonstrates Learner Tien's remarkable maturity but also confirms his emergence as one of the most promising young talents on the ATP Tour today.

In addition, Dino Prizmic, who defeated Djokovic, continued his winning streak by advancing to the fourth round. He will face world number 15 Karen Khachanov.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/learner-tien-ha-bublik-lan-dau-tien-vao-top-20-the-gioi-196260511100134933.htm