BUENOS AIRES/STARNBERG, January 13, 2024
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca advanced to his first semi-final on the ATP Challenger Tour. The 17-year-old Rio de Janeiro native eased past Gianluca Mager of Italy 6-1, 6-3 in the Friday’s stage of the last eight of the Challenger AAT de TCA 1 hosted by the Tenis Club Argentino in Buenos Aires.
Fonseca sent down five aces and won 81 per cent of his first-service points to seal victory in one hour and 17 minutes.
“I worked pretty hard with my team during the pre-season and now I am happy with the level of my tennis this week. I hope to continue like that,” said Fonseca.
The reigning US Open Boys’ singles champion will next take on Dmitry Popko. The Kazakh qualifier edged out No. 4 seed Tristan Boyer from the United States 7-6(6), 6-3 after two hours and 12 minutes.
In the bottom half of the draw, Gonzalo Bueno continued his fine run of form this week in Argentina. The 19-year-old qualifier from Peru beat Max Houkes from the Netherlands 6-1, 6-4. Bueno, ranked World No. 415, saved both break points he faced and converted three of his own seven break-point chances to succeed in one hour and 27 minutes.
Up next for Bueno will be Brazilian Joao Lucas Reis da Silva. The World No. 214 from Recife defeated his compatriot Mateus Alves 6-4, 6-3. The encounter lasted one hour and 34 minutes.
Vamos Gonzalo! 👏
19-year-old Gonzalo Bueno reaches his second career Challenger semifinal, beating Houkes 6-1, 6-4 in Buenos Aires#ATPChallenger pic.twitter.com/L8xPZ58Xtz
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) January 12, 2024
