Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Frances Tiafoe may get most of the ink, but there is another rising American star in tennis.
For the second year in a row, Learner Tien finds himself in the business end of the Australian Open, surprising a few big names along the way.
Only this time, the 20-year-old did not come from out of nowhere. He is a seeded player and is viewed as a genuine threat to upset Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals on Monday evening (approx. 9:30 p.m. ET).
Learner Tien vs. Alexander Zverev odds, prediction
Zverev, a former Australian Open finalist and the No. 3 seed in this tournament, is the betting favorite, but he isn’t a heavy one, at least by tennis standards. In fact, this match features the tightest odds in the Men’s Quarterfinals.
That tells you just how much the market respects what Tien is doing right now.
The Californian’s year didn’t get off to a hot start. He was bounced early doors at ATP Brisbane, and needed five sets in Round 1 against compatriot Marcos Giron, but he’s found his form since that match.
Tien swept aside Alexander Shevchenko and Nuno Borges in Rounds 2 and 3, but his real statement came in a dominant performance against Daniil Medvedev in the Round of 16.
That’s eight sets on the spin for Tien, including a pair of bagels.
Zverev is also in tip-top form, but he’s going to be under quite a bit of pressure on Monday night. The German is still searching for his first Grand Slam title, and has a habit of wilting when he gets into the deep waters at big events.
He’s still the better player right now, but of the two combatants on the court, he’s the one who is more likely to feel the heat — and we’re not just talking about the Australian sun.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Tien proved that he could handle the power, range, and athleticism of Medvedev on Monday, and I expect he’ll be able to provide a stiff test for Zverev. Even if he can just hang around, he’ll give himself a chance as Zverev is always a threat to tighten up and beat himself.
Back the Yank to pull the upset.
The Play: Learner Tien moneyline (+175, bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
