Alexander Zverev Stunned by Teenager Learner Tien in Mexican Open Upset
World number two Alexander Zverev suffered a shock early exit from the Mexican Open after falling in straight sets to teenage qualifier Learner Tien in the second round in Acapulco.
Zverev, the top seed and Australian Open finalist, struggled with an uncharacteristically error-prone performance, allowing 19-year-old Tien to claim a 6-3, 6-4 victory—one of the biggest wins of his young career.
Tien’s Breakthrough Victory
Tien, an emerging talent from the United States, had already turned heads in the previous round with an impressive victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie. His latest triumph over Zverev marks his first career win over a top-three opponent and continues his meteoric rise on the ATP Tour.
“I just went out there and tried to control my side of the court,” said Tien after his stunning victory.
“Obviously, I knew it was going to be a tough match. To come through feels great… I think just focusing on what I can control and keeping my cool as best as I can has really taken me a long way.”
With this win, Tien becomes the youngest American man to defeat a top-three ranked player since Andy Roddick in 2001.
The teenager’s run of strong performances in recent months highlights his potential as a rising star in men’s tennis:
December 2023 – Reached the final of the Next Gen ATP Finals, a tournament showcasing the best young players on tour.
January 2024 – Advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open, his deepest run at a Grand Slam.
February 2024 – Earns a career-defining win over Zverev at the Mexican Open.
Next up, Tien will face Czech player Tomas Machac in the quarter-finals, looking to continue his dream run in Acapulco.
Zverev’s Struggles and Tournament Shocks
Zverev, fresh off his runner-up finish at the Australian Open, entered the ATP 500 event as the top seed and was expected to contend for the title. However, he never looked comfortable against Tien, struggling with unforced errors and a lack of rhythm throughout the match.
This loss is a significant setback for the German star, who had hoped to use the Mexican Open as a stepping stone toward Indian Wells and the clay-court season.
Zverev wasn’t the only high-profile player to suffer disappointment in the second round—it was a day of upsets and withdrawals that reshaped the tournament.
Illness and Upsets Shake Up Acapulco
Several other top players exited the competition in surprising fashion:
Casper Ruud (2nd seed), Tommy Paul (6th seed), and Holger Rune (4th seed) withdrew due to a stomach illness.
Casper Ruud, last year’s runner-up in Acapulco, was forced to pull out before his match against Mexico’s Rodrigo Pacheco Mendez.
“I was hoping to overcome this stomach illness that showed up yesterday,” Ruud shared on Instagram.
“Hoping to come back stronger in a couple of days and come back here to Mexico next year.”
Holger Rune attempted to play his match against Brandon Nakashima but had to retire while trailing 3-0 in the first set.
“Furious and so sad at the same time. Had food poisoning and was unable to play today,” Rune posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“One of my favourite places is Mexico and I love this tournament. Absolutely not the way I wanted it to end.”
Meanwhile, two other seeded players suffered surprising losses:
Ben Shelton (8th seed) was defeated by David Goffin.
Frances Tiafoe (5th seed) lost to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
Tournament Outlook: A Wide-Open Field
With six seeded players eliminated in the second round, the Mexican Open is now wide open for an unexpected champion to emerge.
Some key names still in contention:
Daniil Medvedev (3rd seed) – The highest-ranked player remaining in the draw and a potential title favorite.
Stefanos Tsitsipas (7th seed) – Looking to bounce back after an inconsistent start to the year.
Tomas Machac – Will face Tien in the quarter-finals after upsetting Matteo Arnaldi.
David Goffin – A veteran player seeking a deep run.
Final Thoughts
The Mexican Open has delivered plenty of surprises, with Learner Tien’s stunning win over Zverev standing out as the biggest moment of the tournament so far.
With top seeds dropping out and rising stars making their mark, Acapulco 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting editions in recent years.
Can Tien continue his incredible run and make a deep push toward the final? Or will one of the remaining veterans take control of the tournament?
One thing is certain—tennis fans are in for a thrilling finish in Acapulco!