Zverev started the match with power and precision. His strong serving and crushing forehands set the tone early, allowing him to take the opening set 6–3 and seize a psychological edge.

Yet Learner Tien, one of the breakout stars of this year’s Australian Open, showed exactly why he has captivated fans in Melbourne. The second set stretched to 67 minutes of relentless baseline exchanges and point-by-point battles. In a nerve-wracking tiebreak, Tien displayed remarkable composure to clinch it 7–5 and level the match.

Zverev responded emphatically in the third set. Reasserting control, he raced through the set 6–1 in under half an hour, overwhelming Tien with consistent depth and shot-making.

Set four saw both players push each other to the limits once again. It came down to another tiebreak, but this time Zverev’s experience shone through. The German held his nerve and secured it 7–3, closing the match with a 6–3, 6–7(5), 6–1, 7–6(3) win to book his place in the semifinals.

Tien’s loss marks the end of a spectacular run that has seen him beat top-seeded players and rewrite expectations. While the 20-year-old could not match Zverev’s consistency across the full match, his fearless style and ability to rise to big moments left a lasting impression.

Thien Binh