Joao Fonseca is collecting one milestone after another! The 18-year-old scored two victories at the Miami Open and reached the third round. The Brazilian took down Learnen Tien and Ugo Humbert for notable age achievements at 18 years and seven months.
Fonseca became the youngest player in the third round in Miami since Juan Martin del Potro in 2007! The upcoming star is also the youngest player in a Masters 1000 third round since Carlos Alcaraz in Paris four years ago!
Born for the biggest stages 🏟️🦸♂️
Joao Fonseca becomes the youngest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 third round since Carlos Alcaraz, 18, at Paris 2021! @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/jHG94Mhbwn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) March 22, 2025
The young Brazilian played one of his best matches on the ATP Tour against Humbert. Joao scored a 6-4, 6-3 victory in an hour and 11 minutes to arrange the third-round clash with Alex de Minaur. Fonseca dropped four points behind the initial shot.
He kept the pressure on the other side and clinched 60% of the rival’s second serve points. Humbert played against five break points and gave serve away three times to propel a teenager through. Carried by the Brazilian crowd, Joao collected 21 points more than his rival.
Joao Fonseca, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The young gun landed 16 winners and 11 unforced errors. He built a 17-14 buffer in service winner and outplayed his rival 35-19 from the baseline. Making a strong start is always important, and Fonseca did that against Humbert!
The Brazilian hit a volley winner in the first game of the duel for a break at love. A teenager held at love for a 2-0 advantage and provided two fine holds for 4-2. Joao held at love in game eight for 5-3 and served for the opener at 5-4.
Fonseca held with a service winner for 6-4 in fast 33 minutes. Carried by this boost, the young gun lost one point on serve in the second set. Ugo could not follow that pace and perform a comeback. The Brazilian hit a forehand winner in the fourth game and stepped in on the return in the next one.
Joao Fonseca, Miami Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He created a break point and converted it with a forehand down the line winner for a set and a break advantage. Joao held at love in game six to cement the lead and repeated that in game eight for 5-3. Humbert served to stay in the match in game nine.
A teenager made a push and landed a forehand winner for three match points. He seized the last with a deep return and the rival’s mistake, becoming the youngest player in the Miami Open third round in 18 years.
Tennis World USA