Did anyone want to see Joao Fonseca on the other side of the net in Melbourne? No! Was the fear justified? Indeed!
The young Brazilian will compete in his first Australian Open main draw. Joao arrived in Melbourne after having won the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah and the Canberra Challenger crown. He faced no issues in Melbourne as well, racing through the qualifying draw.
The Brazilian dropped 12 games in three matches, providing two bagels and reaching the main action in style! Joao faced the 12th seed Thiago Agustin Tirante in the final round and earned a 6-4, 6-1 win in an hour and 14 minutes.
TREMENDO LO DEL GAROTO 😮💨
A sus 18 años, Joao Fonseca jugará su primer cuadro principal de un Grand Slam en el Abierto de Australia 🇦🇺: fue 6-4, 6-1 ante Thiago Tirante en última ronda de qualy
🔥 Qué jugadorazo tienen los brasileños #AusOpen
— Match Tenis (@MatchTenis) January 9, 2025
Fonseca dropped ten points in his games and denied all five break points in back-to-back games of the second set. The Brazilian had the freedom to attack on the return. He took 45% of the points in Tirante’s games and converted four of 13 break chances.
A teenager landed 23 winners and 15 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and outplaying his opponent. The Next Gen ATP Finals champion made a flying start, barely losing a point in his games in the opening set. Thiago Agustin stayed in touch early on.
Joao Fonseca, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
However, he faced nine break points in three consecutive games, struggling to impose his strokes and grab free points. The Argentine defended six break points in games five and seven, remaining on the positive side.
He squandered game points at 4-4 that could have kept him safe for more games.Fonseca extended the game and created three more break points. The young gun seized the last after a lucky net cord winner, building his first advantage.
A teenager served for the opener at 5-4 and showed no sign of nerves. He landed a smash winner for a hold at love, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 40 minutes and gaining confidence. Joao extended his run and provided a break in the first game of the second set.
Joao Fonseca & Thiago Agustin Tirante, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
He missed a break chance in the third game before facing the first problems problems behind the initial shot at 2-1. A teenager saved three break points and held with a forehand winner for 3-1 and more boost.
The Brazilian notched another break in the fifth game, moving closer to the finish line. The young gun defended two break points in the next one, forging a 5-1 advantage. Tirante served to stay in the match in game seven and experienced another setback.
The Argentine sprayed a backhand error, suffering a break at 15 and propelling the 18-year-old into the main draw. Who is Fonseca’s first rival at the Australian Open? The 9th seed Andrey Rublev. Will the young gun leave the court without giving everything?
Joao Fonseca, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
No chance! Joao has won the previous 12 matches and will not stop if Rublev plays anywhere below his best. The young gun will enter the match with no pressure, keeping it on the other side of the court. Andrey is not among the mentally strongest players.
That’s Joao’s chance to cause an upset and extend his great run. Fonseca will play his first match at Majors, reaching another milestone of his young career.
Tennis World USA