Learner Tien says what his relationship with Alex Michelsen is currently like after their incredible runs at the Australian Open

Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen can both hold their heads extremely high regardless of what happens in their Australian Open fourth round matches.

Michelsen thinks Tien is a better ball striker than him, with the latter having beaten the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Corentin Moutet in Melbourne.

The 19-year-old American made it through qualifying to make the Australian Open main draw, having played alongside compatriot Michelsen at the NextGen ATP Finals last month.

Tien has been tipped to be a ‘formidable force’ by John McEnroe, with the teenager now taking on Lorenzo Sonego in round four.

Michelsen meanwhile has beaten 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and 19th seed Karen Khachanov at the Grand Slam.

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Learner Tien and Alex Michelsen are ‘pretty close’ amid superb Australian Open runs

The 20-year-old American now takes on number eight seed Alex de Minaur at Rod Laver Arena, with Tien playing at John Cain Arena.

And the latter has now shared his relationship with his fellow American, having been asked to recall the first time they played or met each other in his latest Australian Open press conference.

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“I always remember seeing him in juniors,” said Tien. “We were playing similar tournaments. We were playing similar age groups. I would always see him in draws and stuff.

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“I never played him or talked to him until 2021-ish, I think. We started practising at the same academy. We ended up playing each other in the finals of sectionals in Southern California. I got him there in three the first time we played.

“Then the next year he beat me, like, four times in singles and doubles. I think two in singles, two in doubles.

“I didn’t really know him too well before a few years ago, but we’ve spent a lot of time together. We practise a lot together. Definitely pretty close right now. It’s great to see him doing great.”

Learner Tien beats Alex Michelsen in NextGen ATP Finals before Joao Fonseca loss

Michelsen and Tien are yet to meet in an official ATP Tour match, but they did come face-to-face at the NextGen ATP Finals in Jeddah.

And it was fifth seed Tien who edged past second seed Michelsen in their semi-final clash, with the former then going on to lose the final to Joao Fonseca.

READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz admits what really ‘surprised’ him about Learner Tien after watching him beat Daniil Medvedev

The Brazilian eighth seed is another to have enjoyed a stunning Australian Open, having reached the second round after making it through qualifying.

Fonseca beat ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets on his Grand Slam main draw debut, but later fell to Tien’s next opponent Sonego.

And the success of players from the 20-and-under tournament in December hasn’t been limited to the trio, with Jakub Mensik having beaten sixth seed Casper Ruud.

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