Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Learner Tien Ends Gael Monfils’s Grand Slam Career
Learner Tien is a 20-year-old American tennis player.
He beat the much more experienced Gael Monfils at the US Open.
Tien won all three sets by scores of 6-3, 6-4, and 6-3.
He also stopped Monfils from winning any of his eight break-point chances.
Monfils plans to retire from the tour at the end of 2026.
This was described as the final Grand Slam match of his career.
New York fans cheered Monfils with chants and a video showing his best shots.
Tien and Monfils hugged after the match.
Tien will next play Jakub Mensik.
Learner Tien defeated Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in the US Open second round.
The 20-year-old American saved all eight break points during the two-hour, 16-minute match.
Monfils received chants, a video tribute, and an on-court presentation from the New York crowd.
Monfils, who plans to retire at the end of 2026, made his 18th reported US Open appearance.
Tien advanced to the third round against 17th-seeded Czech player Jakub Mensik.
- Who
- American 20-year-old Learner Tien and French veteran Gael Monfils.
- What
- Tien defeated Monfils in straight sets in the US Open second round, ending Monfils’s Grand Slam career.
- When
- Thursday night, September 3, 2026, with reports published September 4.
- Where
- The US Open in New York; reports identify the venue as either Arthur Ashe Stadium or Louis Armstrong Stadium.
- Why
- Tien won the match to reach the third round, while Monfils’s Grand Slam career is ending as he plans to retire at the end of 2026.
- Match score
- Learner Tien won 6-3, 6-4, 6-3.
- Match duration
- Two hours and 16 minutes.
- Break points
- Tien saved all eight break points he faced.
- Monfils’s career plan
- Monfils has said 2026 will be his final year on tour.
- US Open appearances
- The reports describe this as Monfils’s 18th appearance at the New York Grand Slam.
- Best US Open result
- Monfils reached the semifinals in 2016, where he lost to Novak Djokovic.
- Next match
- Tien will face 17th-seeded Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic.
