Coached by fellow Southern Californian Michael Chang, the sky is the limit for Tien, who is still relatively new to the ATP Tour and very much a work in progress.
“I think he’s a very special individual,” his coach Michael Chang told ATPTour.com this week. “He thinks a lot more than most players out on the court. He’s very much a fighter that people don’t see until they get into the thick of it with him.”
Even Andre Agassi has raved about Tien.
“He has learned the game phenomenally well. He is incredibly gifted, not just with his game, but with his mind,” said Agassi last year at an event in Hong Kong. “He has to overcome certain physical limitations versus other guys, as far as size and strength, but he’s still so young.”
Speaking of size and strength, Tien did manage to outace Shelton, who is one of the biggest servers in the men’s game, 15 to eight during Sunday’s victory.
“In general, I think my serve has improved,” Tien said after improving to 6-5 lifetime against the Top 10 and becoming the youngest American man to reach the round of 16 in the California desert since 2012.
With each passing victory, it becomes apparent that Tien is not just a smart player with limited weapons. He’s the complete package.
The American will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
