MELBOURNE, Australia — João Fonseca launched himself as a freshman in males’s tennis on Tuesday evening, upsetting No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5) within the first spherical of the Australian Open. .
It was the primary Grand Slam event for the 18-year-old Brazilian, who’s at the moment ranked 112 and entered the bracket at Melbourne Park with a three-match successful streak within the qualifying rounds final week.
The victory for 10-time main league quarterfinalist Rublev, 27, lasted lower than 2 1/2 hours and prolonged Fonseca’s unbeaten run to 14 matches. That features taking the title final month in Saudi Arabia on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals for the highest under-21 gamers, and one other trophy this month on the junior Challenger event in Canberra.
Tennis insiders have been rooting for the 2023 US Open junior champion Fonseca, mesmerized by his huge recreation, groundstrokes and good demeanor. All these qualities, and extra, had been on show towards Rublev on the Margaret Court docket Enviornment, Melbourne’s second largest enviornment.
Fonseca scored a match level with a backhand winner that he celebrated by elevating his proper index finger within the No. 1 gesture and nodding his head. Then he ended it together with his entrance going through down, throwing his head again.
“I imply, it isn’t dangerous,” had been Fonseca’s first phrases throughout his later courtroom interview.
That drew smiles from him and supportive laughter from the stands, the place there have been many followers taking part in for his or her nation’s green-yellow-and-blue flag.
“I loved each second on this court docket, this glorious court docket,” he continued. “My first time taking part in on the huuuuge pitch” — I draw a “u” for emphasis.
Batting at 133 mph (214 kph), Fonseca delivered 14 aces and had one double fault whereas saving 5 of the six break factors he confronted.
He has collected 51 wins, 18 greater than Rublev, who reached the quarterfinals in Melbourne thrice within the final 4 years and Fonseca’s first opponent ranked above No.20.
“I used to be focusing (on) my recreation, making an attempt to not put stress on myself, taking part in (towards) a prime ten man,” mentioned Fonseca. “I used to be taking part in my recreation, now we’re within the second spherical.”
He’ll subsequent face Fifty fifth-ranked Lorenzo Sonego, who outlasted three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka in 4 units final Tuesday.
Requested the important thing to his robust efficiency within the tiebreakers towards the extra skilled Rublev, Fonseca mentioned he tries to make use of “all of the momentum in the important thing factors,” “go for the shot” and present “braveness.”
He additionally cited 20-time main champion Roger Federer as an inspiration.
“As Roger mentioned: ‘Expertise just isn’t sufficient.’ … So I labored onerous,” mentioned Fonseca. “Solely my workforce and I do know that.”
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