Daniil Medvedev says what he really thinks of Learner Tien after knocking him out in Shanghai

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Daniil Medvedev scraped through to the quarterfinals in Shanghai after a drama-filled match with Learner Tien.

The pair put on a show for those in attendance, battling it out in a three-set thriller at the Shanghai Masters.

Becoming more and more frustrated as the match went on, Medvedev made several complaints to the umpire at the end of the second set, having received a time violation.

The Russian didn’t exactly calm down, but managed to regain his composure at least to some degree, securing his place in the last eight with a 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 win.

During his post-match interview, Medvedev gave his honest verdict on Tien.

Daniil Medvedev says Learner Tien is an ‘unbelievable player’

Medvedev was full of compliments for Tien after securing his first career win over the American teenager.

“The toughest part is that we have played two times, and in my opinion, he is an unbelievable player because he does not have a great serve, and serve is so important in tennis,” he said.

“Without the serve, he is 19 [years old] and 30 in the world and only going up.

“He is such a good tennis player. He feels the game so well.”

Medvedev praised Tien for his ability to compete in the modern game, where big servers dominate the tour.

“There are so many guys right now, it’s where tennis is going, that just hit strong and hit full power on every ball and have an amazing serve, which makes them stay in the tennis match. He does not have that,” he said.

“He manages to play so well without it. So for me to beat him, I thought I was going to lose, I was cramping again, but I’m so happy to do it.”

Medvedev is now 1-2 against Tien, having lost their first two matches this year.

• 2025 Australian Open 2R – Learner Tien defeated Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 7-6, 6-7, 1-6, 7-6
• 2025 China Open SF – Learner Tien defeated Daniil Medvedev, 5-7, 7-5, 4-0 (RET)
• 2025 Shanghai Masters 4R – Daniil Medvedev defeated Learner Tien, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4

The Russian will now set his sights on the quarterfinals and a 12th career meeting with Alex de Minaur.

‘I’m playing a great level’ – Daniil Medvedev sounds confident after rollercoaster win

Assessing his physical condition, Medvedev was thankful that the schedule had awarded him a day off on Thursday.

“I will be honest, I don’t think this match helps,” he said.

“Luckily, I have one day to recover, and I am probably going to be fine.”

Medvedev then suggested how well he thinks he has played during the Asian swing.

“It’s more the general Asian swing I always play good,” he said.

“The two matches I have lost, I was serving for the match.

• 2025 Hangzhou Open QF – Daniil Medvedev lost to Yibing Wu, 7-5, 6-7, 4-6
• 2025 China Open SF – Daniil Medvedev lost to Learner Tien, 7-5, 5-7, 0-4 (RET)

“I am playing a great level and I’m happy with where I’m going, if I continue like this, I can be back.”

Medvedev will certainly hope to continue his impressive run of form in the quarterfinals, when he takes on Australian number one, De Minaur.

Earlier on Wednesday, De Minaur defeated Nuno Borges, 7-5, 6-2, to advance to the last eight in Shanghai for the first time in his career.

De Minaur and Medvedev have met 11 times on the ATP Tour, with the Russian leading their head-to-head 7-4.

It was De Minaur who won their latest clash, however, at the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters.

The Russian would no doubt love to return to winning ways against De Minaur in Shanghai, and advance to his second Masters 1000 semifinal of the season in the process.

Medvedev and De Minaur will face off in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Shanghai Masters on Friday, October 10.