Tiafoe Cruises Past Vukic to Launch 2026
Frances Tiafoe erases a dismal 2025 finish with a sharp Brisbane opener, while Learner Tien grinds through his debut—two Americans syncing up for the Australian swing.
Under Brisbane‘s humid haze, Frances Tiafoe and Learner Tien flipped the script on their 2025 finishes, both carving out wins on Day 1 of the Brisbane International presented by ANZ. Tiafoe, after dropping his last five matches, dismantled Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 6-2 in 60 minutes flat, his 12 winners outpacing eight unforced errors on the outdoor hard courts. Tien, riding high from late-year titles, outlasted Camilo Ugo Carabelli 7-6(4), 6-3, blending grit with the poise that defined his surge.
Tiafoe’s baseline game clicked from the first ball, heavy topspin forehands pushing Vukic deep while crosscourt backhands opened the angles. He held serve without a single break point faced, mixing inside-out shots to wrong-foot the Australian on returns. The crowd on Pat Rafter Arena fed off his energy, the American’s footwork crisp as he turned defense into quick one–two patterns that ended rallies early.
“It’s good to be back in Brisbane,” said Tiafoe, who also attended the Brisbane Heat cricket match on Friday. “I think I had one of the worst first bowls in history… But that was a lot of fun. It was a great first cricket experience for me.”
Tiafoe resets amid hardcourt grip
That late-2025 skid had pulled the former No. 10 from the PIF ATP Rankings summit, but Brisbane’s medium-speed surface let Tiafoe rediscover his rhythm without overreaching. Vukic‘s flatter strokes met resistance in Tiafoe’s topspin loops, forcing errors on stretched forehands, while down-the-line passes sealed the breaks. Psychologically, the clean sheet felt like a purge, his fist pumps signaling a mind cleared for the grind ahead.
Now the World No. 30 eyes a second-round clash with top seed Daniil Medvedev or Marton Fucsovics, where Brisbane’s true bounce could amplify his slice serves against Medvedev’s returns. Tiafoe’s adjustments—shortening swings for faster takes—promise variety in that matchup, turning potential pressure into offensive edges. The tournament’s local buzz, still echoing from holiday crowds, underscores his timely return to form.
Tien channels junior fire into pro wins
Learner Tien, the 20-year-old fresh off consecutive 2025 titles in Metz and the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, navigated a sticky opener against Ugo Carabelli with tiebreak resolve. His inside-in forehands redirected pace in the first set, setting up a second-set break via a sharp underspin backhand that skidded low. On debut in Brisbane, Tien’s movement echoed his Australian junior days, the hard courts rewarding his flat-hitting counters over prolonged scrambles.
The Argentine’s defensive depth tested him early, but Tien ramped up net approaches, using the surface’s grip for passing shots that hugged the lines. This victory, tougher than the scoreline hints, layers professional steel onto his rising arc, his serve holding firm under duress. The young American’s poise amid the Queensland heat hints at deeper runs, blending memory with momentum.
“It was a lot harder of a match than the score may seem,” said Tien, who is making his Brisbane debut. “First win of the year… I’m really happy to kickstart my Aussie swing with a win and I’m feeling good. It feels crazy that it was already a year ago the last time I was here [in Australia]. I have really great memories here, dating back to juniors, and I’m super happy to be back.”
Americans eye Australian swing ascent
With Day 1 wrapped, both players advance in a field primed for upsets, their paths now converging toward the Australian Open. Tiafoe’s tactical reset meets Tien’s sustained surge, the Brisbane hard courts leveling play for aggressive minds like theirs. As the tournament pulses with international stakes, these openers signal unburdened steps—redemption for one, reinforcement for the other—into 2026‘s unfolding heat.
