How good the young gun Joao Fonseca is? Very very good, if you ask us! World no. 145 is enjoying a stellar week at the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. The 18-year-old Brazilian is four from four on his tournament debut, advancing into the title clash in style.
The Brazilian faced Luca Van Assche in the semi-final. Joao toppled Luca 4-2, 4-2, 4-1 in an hour, dominating on serve and return and sailing over the top. Fonseca accumulated 25 points more than Van Assche.
A force to be reckoned with 🥵
18-year-old Joao Fonseca is a finalist at the Next Gen ATP Finals!#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/hMJdVYxfUf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) December 21, 2024
The younger player dropped six points behind the initial shot, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side. Luca could not keep up that pace in his games, losing half of the points and facing 14 break points!
The Frenchman defended ten but gave serve away four times, ending his campaign in the semi-final for the second straight year in Jeddah. The Brazilian fired 22 winners and nine unforced errors, taming his strokes superbly.
Luca Van Assche & Joao Fonseca, Next Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
He welcomed 19 unforced mistakes from his rival and took charge from the baseline. Joao took charge in the shortest, mid-range and most advanced exchanges, sealing the deal in no time. The Frenchman faced three break points in the third game of the match, denying them with powerful serves.
However, he faced more issues at 2-2, hitting a double fault on the second break point and falling behind. Fonseca served for the opener at 3-2. The Brazilian held at love with a service winner, wrapping up the opener in 19 minutes and gaining a boost.
They served well in the opening four games of the second set. Van Assche missed a volley in the fifth game and experienced problems. He netted a smash and got broken, allowing his opponent to build the advantage.
Joao Fonseca, Next Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Luca took a medical timeout on his right hip ahead of the sixth game. Joao served for the set at 3-2 and held at love, building two sets to love advantage after 42 minutes. Fonseca took charge in the first game of the third set.
He cracked a forehand down the line winner for a break at 15, taking 14 of the previous 16 points and moving closer to the finish line. Joao made another push on the return at 2-0. Luca played against four break points, denying them and closing the game with a crafty volley winner.
The Brazilian held at love in the fourth game for 3-1 and landed a winner from the baseline in the next one for another break and a place in the title clash. Joao will face Learnen Tien for the second time this week. Is he the favorite?
He must be, especially after earning two bagels against the American in their round-robin duel.
Tennis World USA