Nine days after lifting the Next Gen ATP Finals crown in Jeddah, the 18-year-old Joao Fonseca made an impressive start to the 2025 season. The young Brazilian faced Mackenzie McDonald in the Canberra Challenger first round and scored a dominant 6-1, 6-3 triumph.
Joao sealed the deal in 53 minutes, outplaying the more experienced rival on serve and return and sailing into the next round. A teenager dropped nine points in eight service games, defending the only break point and mounting the pressure on the other side.
Joao Fonseca, Canberra Challenger 2025© Stream screenshot
McDonald could not follow that pace despite serving at 72%. The American struggled behind the first and second serve, giving away half of the points and suffering four breaks in windy conditions. Joao fired an ace in the first game of the match for a hold at 15.
Fonseca generated three break points in the second game. He converted the third after McDonald’s double fault, forging an early advantage. The young gun cemented the break with a volley winner in game seven, moving 3-0 in front after seven minutes.
Joao Fonseca, Canberra Challenger 2025© Stream screenshot
Mackenzie held after a deuce in the fourth game and reduced the deficit. However, he struggled behind the initial shot in the sixth game, netting a routine backhand and falling 5-1 behind. Joao served for the opener in game seven and faced the only break point.
The Brazilian denied it with a well-constructed attack and a forehand crosscourt winner. He fired another forehand winner on a set point, wrapping up the opener 6-1 in 24 minutes. They served well at the beginning of the second set, locking the result at 2-2.
Joao Fonseca, Canberra Challenger 2025© Stream screenshot
Fonseca landed a service winner in the fourth game and made a push on the return in the next one. A teenager painted a forehand winner for break chances and passed his rival at the net for a break and the advantage. Joao landed an ace in the sixth game for 4-2.
The Brazilian produced a hold at love in game eight with a service winner and opened a 5-3 gap. The American served to stay in the match in game nine and sprayed a backhand error, propelling the young gun over the top.
Tennis World USA