NEXT GEN ATP FINALS – The very first day of play of this year’s Under-20 Champions Tournament offered a huge surprise. The biggest favorite and last year’s finalist Learner Tien (20) did not use a total of four match points and lost in five sets to the inexperienced debutant Rafael Jódar (19), who recorded his most valuable scalp in his career. Nishesh Basavareddy, Alexander Blockx and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer also celebrated the win in the group.
Tien – Jodar 4:1, 3:4 (3:7), 4:1, 2:4, 3:4 (4:7)
It should have been an easy entry into this year’s Next Gen ATP Finals. Tien played the role of a huge favorite against Jódar and easily won the opening set. Although he lost the next one in a tie-break, he was again supreme and was one set away from victory.
However, the Spanish debutant leveled up again and showed strong mental resilience at the end of the decisive act. Tien had a total of four match points at his disposal, one on service and three in a row on return.
But Jódar eliminated all threats, overcame the 1:3 deficit in the tie-break and finally celebrated the most valuable scalp of his career and his first against TOP 100 players in the world ranking against the 28th ranked man. He was fighting someone from the elite hundred of the ranking for the very first time.
With the defeat, Tien really complicated the role of the biggest favorite of the entire tournament and advancement from the group. The American, who recently reigned at the ATP indoor event in Métay, is defending last year’s final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
American Basavareddy, Belgian Blockx and Norwegian Budkov Kjaer also claimed victories in the group stage.
The under-20 champions tournament is played with non-traditional rules and the Fast4 Tennis system. Jakub Menšík and last year’s champion Joao Fonseca were also supposed to participate, but both opted out.
Results of the Tournament of Champions under 20 | Order of groups
