PHOENIX/STARNBERG, March 16, 2025
Joao Fonseca delivered a dominant performance on Saturday, defeating former World No. 4 Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3 to secure a spot in the championship match at the Arizona Tennis Classic. Playing in front of a sellout crowd at the ATP Challenger 175 event in Phoenix, the 18-year-old Brazilian showcased his aggressive style and powerful serving to claim a statement victory.
Fonseca struck seven aces and won 76 per cent of his first-service points. With notable figures such as former World No. 1 Mats Wilander and NBA legend Steve Nash in attendance, the rising star secured victory in one hour and seven minutes.
The moment Joao Fonseca secured his third final of the season #ATPChallenger | @aztennisclassic pic.twitter.com/FuJz8plJBi
— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) March 15, 2025
“First of all, it was just a pleasure to share the court with Kei,” Fonseca said. “Amazing player, amazing athlete, really nice person. Just very happy with the way I managed to win today, going for my shots aggressively, making him uncomfortable during the match.
“We say in Portuguese, ‘closing the doors’, not letting him believe that he can win. Having a break and serving well, staying with the break, this was very good. Happy to win.”
In the second semi-final, Alexander Bublik dethroned two-time defending champion and top seed Nuno Borges from Portugal with a 6-3, 6-4 win. The 27-year-old from Kazakhstan fired 16 aces and broke his rival’s serve three times to advance in one hour and five minutes.
Fonseca, the 2024 NextGenATP Finals champion, is seeking his third ATP Challenger Tour career title. Bublik could lift his seventh Challenger career trophy.
