The third round of the 2025 Australian Open is now finished, as players look ahead to their last 16 match-ups.
128 names have been whittled down to 16, as the Australian Open reaches its second week of action.
The stars of the ATP Tour have been thrilling fans with their performances throughout the tournament, with several names impressing.
Carlos Alcaraz has looked mightily impressive on his way to the fourth round in Melbourne, dropping just one set, as he prepares for a tough test against Jack Draper on Sunday.
Another star to impress is ten-time champion Novak Djokovic, who beat Tomas Machac in straight sets to book his place in the last 16 for the 17th time in his career.
World number two Alexander Zverev hasn’t dropped a set in his first three matches, as he looks to contend for a maiden Major title.
The youngsters of the ATP Tour have shone at this year’s tournament, with Learner Tien’s win over Daniil Medvedev proving to be one of the shocks of the Australian Open.
Tien then won his third-round match, against an opponent who has now told fans what he experienced less than an hour before their contest.
Corentin Moutet says he ‘fainted’ before his third-round match with Learner Tien
Speaking after the match, Corentin Moutet told journalists what happened to him before his third-round match with Tien.
“I fainted 45 minutes before the match in the shower,” he said.
“I don’t know what happened, I was in the shower, I woke up on the floor, everything was black, I couldn’t see.
“It was unexpected because I felt good all day, not too much aches, I was pretty fit, I had recovered well from my previous matches.
“It was a bit disturbing.”
The Frenchman recovered to play against Tien but was concerned about how he would perform.
“I was a bit dazed from the fall, I didn’t hurt myself, but I was dazed,” said Moutet.
“During the warm-up, there was a bit of panic wondering how I was going to do it.
“It was hot today, it was tough physically.”
Despite losing in straight sets to the young American, Moutet was proud of his performance.
“Honestly, I’m proud of myself, I didn’t start the match in the best conditions,” he said.
“I did the best I could to disturb him, it didn’t work out, but you have to know how to lose too.
“Bravo to him [Learner Tien] because, what a player, I had never played him, huge respect.”
Learner Tien reveals what Corentin Moutet told him during their Australian Open match
Moutet, a sometimes controversial figure on the ATP Tour, was seen speaking to Tien multiple times during changeovers.
In his post-match press conference, Tien was asked whether the Frenchman had ‘bothered’ him during the match.
“No, I mean, it didn’t bother me at all,” he said.
“When we were crossing paths to start the third, we were smiling, I think he said something like, one more set to go, or something like that.
“Then he said, I’m going to keep fighting, though.”
Moutet suffered an injury in the third set before he spoke to his American opponent once more.
“First point of the third, I was like stretching for a return, so I didn’t see what happened,” said Tien.
“I looked over and he was on the ground, maybe his hip or something, I’m not sure if he was injured or cramping.
“At the net he said something like, I heard him say to the physio, I’ll try to play, I’ll try to get through this game and see what happens.
“He looked at me and said, I’m going to keep fighting just for you, so, yeah, that was kind of it.”
Tien then explained how Moutet’s varying fitness levels confused him during the match.
“I wasn’t sure what was going on with him honestly because there were some points where it seemed like he wasn’t able to move or really use his legs that much at all,” he said.
“Other points he was running and scrapping, yeah, I wasn’t really sure what was going on.”
Tien eventually won 7-6, 6-3, 6-3, as he secured his place in a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time in his career.
The 19-year-old will take on Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the last 16 on Monday, January 20.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
