RIO DE JANEIRO/WASHINGTON, February 22, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)
The next generation of men’s tennis was on full display at the Rio Open presented by Claro Wednesday afternoon – and it’s full of promise, indeed.
Rio de Janeiro local, 17-year-old wild card Joao Fonseca, was featured in the opening match of the day of the ATP 500 event on red clay against a fellow teenager, 19-year-old Arthur Fils of France, and the Brazilian lived up to his promise.
Showing plenty of poise and maturity for a teenager, the 655th-ranked Fonseca defeated No. 36 Fils, 6-0, 6-4, in 90 minutes to capture his first ATP Tour victory. He earned break points in six of Fils’ eight service games and controlled nearly all facets of the match from first ball to last.
Don’t forget his name 🤩
Joao Fonseca records his first ATP Tour victory at home against Fils 6-0 6-4. 🇧🇷@RioOpenOficial | #RioOpen10Anos pic.twitter.com/I0M9tppOsg
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2024
Fonseca, who finished 2023 as World No. 1 in junior rankings after winning the US Open boys’ title, came into the first-round match at the Jockey Club Brasileiro looking to win the first ATP Tour match of his career, a year after making his debut in Rio de Janeiro (where he lost in the opening round to Alex Molcan), and to become the first player born in 2006 or later to win a match at an ATP Tour event – and the second youngest in tournament history after 16-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2020.
The No. 7 seed Fils, who was making his tournament debut, became the youngest player to win an ATP Tour title last year at Lyon and was runner-up at the season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals. He was looking for his first clay court win since defeating then-No. 4 Casper Ruud to reach the 2023 Hamburg semifinals, the lone Top 5 win of his career.
Fonseca was widely applauded when he entered Quadra Guga Kuerten. With nothing to lose, he wasted little time in moving out to a triple-break 5-0 lead over Fils and quickly won the opening set 6-0 in 30 minutes. Fonseca did it by keeping the ball in play as well as by attacking Fils with his blistering and relentless forehand ground strokes. He controlled play both from the baseline and at the net.
Joao Fonseca is putting on a show in Rio 🔥@RioOpenOficial | #RioOpen10Anos pic.twitter.com/oOBlNtRktI
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2024
Additionally, Fonseca benefited from being ahead in all of his service games. He put away the set with a brilliantly-executed forehand drop shot that brought the fans to their feet. Fonseca pumped his fist in celebration.
Fonseca, who won 28 of 42 points, hit six winners and took full advantage of 10 unforced errors by Fils.
In the second set, Fils finally held serve for the first time but had to earn it from Fonseca. Then, at 3-all, Fonseca broke Fils to push ahead 4-3 after the Frenchman air mailed a third-shot forehand far beyond the baseline as a light rain began to fall on Quadra Guga Kuerten that softened the red clay surface.
Fonseca consolidated the break after going to deuce and the finish line – and his first ATP Tour victory – came sharply into focus. Serving for the match at 5-4, Fonseca put away his first tour-level triumph on his third match point opportunity after Fils hit a sixth-shot backhand long.
Joao Fonseca (photo: Rio Open/Fotojump)
Fonseca dropped to his knees and buried his head in his arms as the Brazilian fans stood and applauded their hero.
He finished with 17 winners (including 11 from his forehand side) to 17 unforced errors, won 69 percent of his first-serve points, converted four of nine break-point opportunities and outpointed Fils 68-49.
Fils countered with 10 winners but also committed 22 unforced errors.
“I am so happy. It couldn’t be better than this to get my first win 10 minutes away from my house and with all my friends, all my family watching,” said Fonseca afterward. “It’s very special and let’s go for another one in the second round.
“I was focused on making every ball. Obviously, I was nervous, I was shaking, but I wanted so much to win, I made it.”
Joao Fonseca – made in Rio 🇧🇷#RioOpen10Anos pic.twitter.com/cj5xQV7Glf
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 21, 2024
Looking back, a very determined Fonseca brought a high level of tennis to the court. With the support of the Brazilian fans, he willed his way to victory.
Next, Fonseca will face No. 88 Cristian Garin Thursday evening on Quadra Guga Kuerten. The Chilean advanced with a 2-6, 7-6 (1), 6-3 win over No. 66 Roberto Carballes Baena of Spain on Tuesday night.
Around the Jockey Club Brasileiro
No. 4 seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina advanced to the quarterfinal round with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over No. 96 Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain Wednesday in the only other completed singles match before rain postponed play for the rest of the day. The 22nd-ranked Cerundolo saved the only break point he faced and outpointed Ramos-Vinolas 64-42.
Moving 🔛@FranCerundolo gets past Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 6-1 and books his spot in the quarter-finals.@RioOpenOficial | #RioOpen10Anos pic.twitter.com/g6mWosgjB6
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 21, 2024
Late Tuesday, Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann recovered from both a first-round loss last week in Buenos Aires as well as a second-set dip against World No. 19 Nicolas Jarry of Chile to win 6-1, 1-6, 7-5. The 56th-ranked Hanfmann will play 113th-ranked Argentine qualifier Mariano Navone, who rallied to upset No. 85 Federico Coria of Argentina, 1-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Also, No. 58 Dusan Lajovic of Serbia defeated No. 78 Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia, 4-6, 7-6 (8), 6-1, late Tuesday night to advance against fellow Serbian Laslo Djere, ranked 35th and seeded sixth. The winner of the all-Serbian clash will draw Cerundolo in Friday’s quarterfinal round.
MRI confirms Alcaraz has a Grade Two sprain in right ankle
On Wednesday afternoon, top seed Carlos Alcaraz confirmed via social media that he has a Grade Two sprain in his right ankle. He suffered the injury on the second point of his first-round match Tuesday evening against Thiago Monteiro. According to Alcaraz, he will be sidelined for a few days but he intends to play an exhibition against Rafael Nadal next week in Las Vegas and be ready for Indian Wells, which starts on March 6.
Alcaraz says MRI shows he has a Grade Two sprain in his right ankle after his injury in Rio. Says he will be out for a few days and that he intends to play the exhibition vs Nadal in Las Vegas and in Indian Wells https://t.co/yKU67abJhM
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) February 21, 2024
Thursday’s Rio Open order of play
By the numbers
France’s Arthur Fils, 19, played against a younger opponent for the first time on the ATP Tour, in facing 17-year-old Joao Fonseca of Brazil.
“Quotable …”
“The last few months I was so focused on my progress and this is the result. I am a lot more mature and this is where I belong. I want to be in these huge stadiums.”
— Joao Fonseca of Brazil, 17, during his on-court interview, on the thrill of his first tour-level victory.
‘This is where I belong; I want to be in these huge stadiums’
Joao Fonseca, everyone 👏#RioOpen10Anos pic.twitter.com/mbA9DGvMCu
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 21, 2024
