Joao Fonseca Makes History! Becomes Second-Youngest After Carlos Alcaraz To...

Last Updated:May 28, 2025, 12:03 IST

Joao Fonseca began his French Open campaign with a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Hubert Hurkacz to become the second-youngest match winner in a decadeat Roland Garros.

Joao Fonseca at French Open (Instagram)

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca made an impressive debut at Roland Garros, defeating the in-form Hubert Hurkacz 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. This victory makes him the second-youngest match winner at the clay-court major in the past decade, trailing only an 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2021, according to ATP statistics.

At just 18 years old and several months away from his 19th birthday, Fonseca showed no signs of nerves against Hurkacz. He played assertive tennis from the outset, breaking serve twice in the first set and again at the start of the second with a remarkable cross-court volley that excited the crowd.

“I played really well, focusing a lot on the returns and serves. I knew a lot of great serves were going to come, and I was just focusing on putting the first return in, the plus one, the return plus one, putting it in the middle and trying to be as aggressive as I can. I tried to focus on opportunities, go to the net, and be aggressive whenever possible," said Fonseca.

According to the ATP Win/Loss Index, Fonseca now holds an 11-7 tour-level season record. At the Australian Open, he secured a memorable first main-draw win at a major by defeating ninth seed Andrey Rublev. The following month, he claimed his maiden tour-level title in Buenos Aires.

He attributed the support herecieved to the popularity of compatriot and former champion Gustavo Kuerten.

“I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, a lot of Brazilians living here and they come a lot," Fonseca told reporters after his win.

“I think because of Guga (Kuerten), because of the tradition, there is a lot of Brazilians," he added.

Next, Fonseca will face French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who is 16 years his senior.

Earlier, Jack Draper’s progression on clay continued as he overcame a challenging start to secure his first match win at Roland Garros. The fifth seed defeated Mattia Bellucci 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in heavy conditions under the Court Suzanne-Lenglen roof, which was closed due to steady rain in Paris.

Draper aims to add a Grand Slam title to his achievements, having won his maiden Masters 1000 crown in Indian Wells in March.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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Location :

Paris, France

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News sports Joao Fonseca Makes History! Becomes Second-Youngest After Carlos Alcaraz To...