Jannik Sinner
Sinner on Tien’s future: ‘Going to be a very tough player to beat’
Italian defeated the 20-year-old on Thursday
March 13, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Jannik Sinner defeated Learner Tien on Thursday at the BNP Paribas Open.
By ATP Staff
Jannik Sinner’s lopsided victory against Learner Tien on Thursday did not change the Italian’s view of the reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion.
The 24-year-old continued his run at the BNP Paribas Open, defeating Tien 6-1, 6-2 in the quarter-finals. Sinner controlled the match from the outset, dropping just three games in his second Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting against the American. The No. 2 player in the PIF ATP Rankings believes that the challenge will only grow tougher in the future as Tien continues to develop.
“Physically, he is improving a lot,” Sinner said. “He is going to be a very tough, tough player in the future to beat.”
“Regardless of the result of today, I feel like he’s improving. The groundstrokes are getting stronger.”
Although Tien could not produce his best tennis against Sinner, the 20-year-old American leaves the tournament with plenty of positives. This fortnight, the American reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final with wins over Ben Shelton and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a run that pushed him on the verge of breaking into the Top 20 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time. Sinner is curious to see Tien’s growth continue.
“He’s shown [good form] already against incredible players in the past and also in the present, Sinner said. “So it’s going to be very interesting to see how he’s going to evolve.”
The Italian will now turn his focus to his semi-final clash against Alexander Zverev, against whom he holds a 6-4 lead in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The Italian has yet to drop a set this fortnight in the California desert and will look to carry that form into his clash against the German.
Sinner knows, however, that reaching his first final at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells will require his best level.
“I have to be very careful,” he said. “I watched a couple of matches. He’s playing great tennis. I will try to bring the best possible tennis I can.
“I’m looking forward to this. These are the matches I practise for. Stages are getting bigger and bigger, so very happy to be here.”
