The likes of the China Open and Shanghai Masters have dominated the ATP Tour scene in recent times.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner stole the headlines, with the former winning in Beijing and the latter winning in Shanghai.
But aside from the Asian swing, several top players and indeed many up-and-coming others were in action at the Fairfield Challenger.
And the Taube – Grossman Pro Tennis Tournament, an ATP Challenger 75 competition, welcomed a new star as Learner Tien took home the title.
The 18-year-old impressively defeated 2011 Wimbledon quarter-finalist Bernard Tomic in the final in his home state of California.
Learner Tien equals Andy Roddick and Taylor Fritz record
Unfortunately for the former world number 17, he made an unwanted record with the loss, with Tomic losing in the shortest championship match in Challenger history.
Tien eased past the Australian in just 39 minutes, but that wasn’t his only record, with the teenager becoming the fourth American to win three ATP Challenger Tour titles before his 19th birthday.
As per the ATP website, his compatriots Taylor Fritz, Andy Roddick and Sam Querrey all achieved the feat.
Learner Tien breaks personal record as new ATP rankings released
Tien overcame Tomic 6-0, 6-1 in Fairfield, adding the title to his previous successes at Bloomfield Hills and Las Vegas.
The 18-year-old now has a 28-6 record for the season at the Challenger level, and has climbed to 124th in the world rankings.
That spot represents a career-high for the teenager, who is certain to climb further up the ranks in the very near future.
The new ATP Tour top 10 has now been confirmed following the Shanghai Masters, with Sinner still leading the way.
Thien’s fellow American Fritz meanwhile has moved up one spot into sixth, having reached the semi-finals in Shanghai.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
