Match Report
Tien returns to Subsequent Gen ATP Finals title match, faces Blockx
American defeats Basavareddy 4-2, 4-1, 4-3(3) in Saturday’s semi-final
December 20, 2025
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Learner Tien returns to the ultimate in Jeddah on Saturday.
By Sam Jacot
Learner Tien returned to the title match on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals offered by PIF on Saturday in Jeddah, the place he moved previous pal Nishesh Basavareddy 4-2, 4-1, 4-3(3).
The American misplaced to Brazilian star Joao Fonseca within the ultimate 12 months in the past however will purpose to go one step additional on Sunday when he meets 20-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx. Returning to Jeddah as the highest seed this 12 months, Tien is the second man in match historical past to achieve a number of finals on the occasion, becoming a member of World No. 7 Alex de Minaur (2018-19).
“I received the primary and had probabilities within the second earlier than he simply ran away with it,” Tien stated of his ultimate defeat to Fonseca final 12 months. “I’ll attempt to not let that occur tomorrow… I do know Alex has been taking part in nice this week, so I’m actually excited.”
World No. 28 Tien arrived on the 20-and-under match because the robust favorite after a standout 12 months, highlighted by his first tour-level title on the 250 occasion in Metz. Nevertheless, he suffered a stuttering begin to his marketing campaign when he misplaced to Rafael Jodar in 5 units in his round-robin opener.
With the strain on, the lefty responded with wins in opposition to Martin Landaluce and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer and was in management all through the 75-minute semi-final encounter with Basavareddy, who obtained two medical timeouts for a deep minimize on his finger.
In a managed efficiency, Tien displayed the extent that earned him 5 High 10 wins in 2025, based on the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. He recovered from dropping serve within the opening recreation of the primary two units, dictating the tempo with clear baseline ball-striking. The 20-year-old dedicated six fewer unforced errors than Basavareddy (19-25) and struck on the proper moments to prevail. Tien will play Blockx on Sunday at 8pm native time.
The 20-year-old Basavareddy, who went 2-1 within the round-robin stage, was joined by coach Gilles Cervara at a match for the primary time for the reason that pair joined forces firstly of December. Basavareddy’s finest end in 2025 got here on the ATP 250 occasion in Auckland, the place he reached the semi-finals.
