Joao Fonseca is the new tennis star! The 18-year-old Brazilian is on a notable winning streak, making a name for himself and rumbling in Melbourne! A teenager passed the qualifying stage and booked a place in his first main draw at Majors in Melbourne.
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A teenager faced world no. 9 Andrey Rublev in the first round and scored a memorable 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 victory in two hours and 27 minutes. Thus, Joao became the fourth-youngest player since 1990 with a top-10 win at Majors.
Carlos Alcaraz is on that exclusive list, knowing what it takes to topple the rival from the top on the notable scene. Alcaraz praised the young Brazilian and called him the one to watch! The four-time Major winner labeled Fonseca's win over Rublev an unbelievable one.
Carlos liked every aspect of Joao's game on his Major debut and predicted his quick trajectory toward the top of men's tennis.
Joao entered the Australian Open ona winning streak. At the end of 2024, he conquered the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddahand started the new season with the Canberra Challenger crown. As expected, Fonseca easily passed three qualifying rounds in Melbourne.
He drew Rublev in the first round and showed no sign o fear or hesitation. A teenager went for his shots and outplayed the more experienced rival for a perfect debut at Majors. Joao fired up his forehand and the first serve, landing 51 winners and 32 unforced errors!
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He dominated the mid-range rallies with five to eight strokes and lost serve only once, mounting the pressure on the other side. Joao erased the deficit in the third set and moved over the top with a fine performance in the tie break.
Rublev saved eight of ten break points, fighting hard but dropping the pivotal moments to hit the exit door. The encounter kicked off with seven fine holds before the youngster faced a break point at 3-4. He saved it after an entertaining rally and held for 4-4.
The set went into a tie break, and Joao showed his mental strength. He won all four points on serve and grabbed an early mini-break with a forehand crosscourt winner. A qualifier grabbed another mini-break for 4-0 and earned five set points.
Fonseca converted the first with a return winner, securing the opener in 44 minutes. The Brazilian broke the Russian in the second game of the second set after Rublev's costly double fault. Rublev saved two break points in the fourth game, remaining within one break deficit.
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Joao saved a break point in the fifth game and held for 4-1. A hold at love is always welcomed, and the young gun produced it in the seventh game for a 5-2 lead. Fonseca served for the set at 5-3 and cracked an ace, moving two sets to love up after two hours and 21 minutes.
Andrey secured his only break in the fourth game of the third set for a 3-1 advantage. However, he got broken in the next game on the fourth break point, bringing his rival back to the positive side. Joao denied a break point in the eighth game with a powerful forehand.
The set went into a tie break, and Rublev felt the pressure. Fonseca secured a mini-break with a volley winner and grabbed two points on serve for 3-0. Andrey sprayed a forehand error in the fourth point and lost his temper, like many times in 2024.
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The Brazilian dropped two points on serve and brought his rival into contention. Showing no fear in the closing stages, the young gun fired a backhand down the line winner in the 11th point and generated a match point.
An in-form teenager converted it with a forehand down the line winner, securing an impressive Major debut and earning praises from the four-time Major winner.
"I watched a bit of Joao's match against Andrey, the beginning and the end. What can I say? He is simply unbelievable! It was his first Major match, and he handled it amazingly against a top-10 rival. Seeing his approach and how he controlled his nerves and everything was fantastic.
I have to watch him carefully as he will be there. It's only the beginning of the season, and it was his first Major win, but he will join the world's best players soon," Carlos Alcaraz said.
