Joao Fonseca is off to a winning start at theArizona Tennis Classic Challenger in Phoenix. The young Brazilian defeated Pavel Kotov 6-2, 6-4 in the first round, leaving slight physical issues behind and sealing the deal in an hour and 29 minutes.
Joao made the difference with his first serve, dropping 12 points in nine service games and facing no break points. Kotov felt the pressure and cracked under it. The Russian lost 45% of the points in his games, playing against 11 break points and losing serve three times.
The 18-year-old landed a winner at the net in the first game of the duel for two break points. He landed a deep return on the first and secured an early advantage. Fonseca cemented the advantage with a service winner in game two.
He claimed an entertaining point two games later for 3-1, controling the scoreboard after 11 minutes. Kotov provided two holds after that loose service game to remain within one break deficit. The Brazilian held with a winner at the net in the sixth game, moving 4-2 in front.
Fonseca landed a running winner at the net in the seventh game, clinching another break and forging a 5-2 advantage. A teenager served for the set in game eight and held at love with a service winner for 6-2 in 26 minutes. Joao served well in the second set and kept the pressure on his opponent.
Pavel held after deuces in the first game and faced the ultimate challenge at 1-1. The game lasted 13 minutes, and Fonseca generated eight break points. He kept his focus despite missing too many of them, seizing the last with a volley winner at the net and opening a set and a break advantage.
Joao cemented the lead with a hold in game four and landed a volley winner two games later to open a 4-2 gap. The Buenos Aires champion provided another hold in game eight and mounted the pressure on his opponent. Kotov served to stay in the match in game nine and held with a forehand winner.
Fonseca chased the win at 5-4 and landed a powerful serve to seal the deal and book a place in the next round. A teenager will face the 4th seed Jan-Lennard Struff in the second round on Thursday.
