Next Gen ATP Finals Prediction: Learner Tien vs Alexander Blockx
12:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Learner Tien -166 / Alexander Blockx +125
Tournament details
Tournament name: Next Gen ATP Finals
Draw: 8-player field
Surface: Indoor hard
Total prize money: $2,101,250
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Learner Tien vs Alexander Blockx Preview
Learner Tien reached the title match at the Next Gen ATP Finals for a second year in a row. The American defeated compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy in four sets in Saturday’s semifinals to confirm his appearance in Sunday’s showpiece.
In the victory, Tien hit 26 wins and 19 unforced errors. That included 6 aces and 2 double faults. Tien landed 66% of first serves in play and won 64% of first serve points (21/33). Tien won 59% of second serve points (10/17) and saved one of four break points.
The 20-year-old Tien completed a 2-1 group stage record this week, with his only defeat coming in the opening match against Rafael Jodar. Last year, Tien was beaten in the final by Joao Fonseca. This is his last appearance at the Next Gen ATP Finals.
Alexander Blockx motored to the final on his Next Gen ATP Finals debut with a straight-sets win over Norway’s Nicolai Budkov Kjaer. The match took 20 games to decide and lasted an hour and 25 minutes. Blockx was exceptional in finishing off the decisive moments in the match, winning two tiebreak sets.
Blockx fired 27 winners and 23 unforced errors. That included 10 aces. He landed 70% of first serves in play and won 77% of first serve points (34/44). Blockx won 47% of second serve points (9/19) and saved four of six break points. Blockx remains undefeated this week after topping his group with a 3-0 record.
Learner Tien vs Alexander Blockx Head-To-Head
Tien and Blockx have not met at the tour level, but their most memorable meeting at the junior level was the 2023 Australian Open boys’ singles final. Blockx won a third-set tiebreak 11-9.
Learner Tien vs Alexander Blockx Prediction
Tien is the title favorite. It was that way before the tournament began, given the gulf in rankings between him and the field. But Alexander Blockx has been the outstanding player in the tournament, and he has not lost a match this week, often rushing opponents off the court with his humongous serve and forehand. That said, over the course of four or five sets, I expect Tien’s return quality, composure and problem-solving skills to shine.