Indian Wells Star Sends Handwritten Message to Rival After Causing Huge Upset Learner Tien made headlines at the Indian Wells tournament on Sunday by defeating top-8 seed Ben Shelton in a thrilling third-round match, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3. The 20-year-old American, who has emerged as a rising star in men’s tennis, extended his record against top-10 players to 6-5. This victory marked Tien’s biggest win against a high-ranked opponent to date, following his surprise second-round upset of Daniil Medvedev at last year’s Australian Open as a teenage qualifier. The two have since developed a competitive rivalry, with Tien holding a 3-1 edge in their head-to-head meetings. After securing the win, Tien immediately sent a handwritten message to Medvedev, his longtime rival, expressing excitement about their upcoming doubles partnership. The message, visible on the camera lens during the match, read, “Time for dubs,” accompanied by a smiley face. Tien and Medvedev have joined forces for the doubles tournament, set to face Valentin Vacherot and Arthur Rinderknech. The pairing brings together a former world No. 1 and a rising talent, combining their skills for the team event. Tien praised Shelton for his resilience despite being unwell during the match. Shelton, who has been battling a virus affecting several players at the event, including Matteo Berrettini, admitted he was not at his best. Tien acknowledged Shelton’s determination, stating, “He came out and gave it his all. I just want to say huge props to him.” The 20-year-old also reflected on his own performance, noting that nerves and a disrupted rhythm affected his play in key moments. “I feel like I was missing some shots I usually wouldn’t,” he said, but added that his focus and competitiveness helped him advance to the fourth round.#ben_shelton #daniil_medvedev #matteo_berrettini #valentin_vacherot #arthur_rinderknech
