![\"Learner](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/1766282529_448_16x9.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Match Preview
\n Tien faces unbeaten Blockx in Next Gen ATP Finals redemption bid<\/p>\n
Last year’s finalist Tien meets big-time debutant Blockx on Sunday not before 8 p.m. AST\/ 6 p.m CET<\/p>\n
December 20, 2025<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Corinne Dubreuil\/ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Learner Tien and Alexander Blockx will compete for the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals title on Sunday in Jeddah.
\n By Jerome Coombe<\/p>\n
Who will be crowned tennis\u2019 newest rising star at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF<\/a> in Jeddah?<\/p>\n Top seeds Learner Tien<\/a> and Alexander Blockx<\/a> will square off in Sunday\u2019s title match, scheduled for not before 8 p.m. AST (6 p.m. CET), after both players made compelling statements throughout the week. Armed with heavy groundstrokes from both wings, 6\u20194\u201d debutant Blockx stormed into the final with a flawless 4-0 record, while Tien is finding his rhythm after a shaky start as he looks to make amends for his championship-match defeat to Joao Fonseca<\/a> in 2024.<\/p>\n There is also a subtle but meaningful subplot to the final. Blockx defeated Tien in the 2023 Australian Open<\/a> boys\u2019 final, edging a dramatic third-set tie-break 11-9. It was a gripping encounter \u2014 perhaps a glimpse of what awaits in Jeddah \u2014 and one that remains etched in the American\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n \u201cThe only thing I remember is that it was the most heartbreaking loss of my life up to that point,\u201d Tien said with a laugh. \u201cWe\u2019ve obviously both improved a lot since then. I\u2019ll have to rest up and form a new game plan. Hopefully I can come out well tomorrow. I think it will be a really tough match.\u201d<\/p>\n While the pair crossed paths in juniors, Sunday\u2019s clash marks their first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. It also represents the first final between the tournament\u2019s top two seeds since 2021, when Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> defeated Sebastian Korda<\/a> in Milan.<\/p>\n Tien, the World No. 28, won his first ATP Tour title in Metz last month and has earned five wins over Top 10 players in 2025. The 20-year-old is also the only Top 100 player in the Jeddah field, but Blockx will be up for the fight.<\/p>\n \u201cAgainst Learner, it would be a really epic one after Australia two years ago,\u201d Blockx said before the outcome of Tien\u2019s semi-final. \u201cI like to play against lefties, but to be honest, I don\u2019t care who I\u2019m playing tomorrow, it\u2019s going to be fun.\u201d<\/p>\n Blockx and Tien meet again \ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n 2023 \u27a1\ufe0f Australian Open<\/a> Juniors Final \u2014 Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 20, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Tien has dropped his serve 10 times en route to the final, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Against the fearless-serving Blockx, who has been broken just five times this week, the American will need to tighten those numbers in Sunday\u2019s decider.<\/p>\n Belgium\u2019s Blockx, who has struck 107 winners across his four victories, has looked right at home in his debut appearance at the 20-and-under event. In contrast, Tien \u2014 one of only returners \u2014 has recovered from a slow start before finding some of his best tennis when it mattered most.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t feel super settled in when I got here,\u201d said Tien, who let slip four match points to Rafael Jodar<\/a> in his opener. \u201cIt\u2019s not like everyone\u2019s super match fit, especially with the different format. It throws you off. I think it helped a little bit [reaching the final last year] but I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s made a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
2025 \u27a1\ufe0f Next Gen ATP Final#NextGenATPFinals<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/kN085WXezq<\/a><\/p>\n