The Brazilian Joao Fonseca is the new star in the tennis sky. © ANSA / LUKAS COCH

Melbourne: An 18-year-old causes a sensation

Joao Fonseca lived up to the great advance praise on the third day of the Australian Open in Melbourne, with prize money of 58,29 million euros.

14 January 2025

From: dpa/dl

The 18-year-old Brazilian won the previously hyped duel with world number 7 Andrey Rublev after a remarkable performance with 6:1(6), 3:7, 6:5(XNUMX). The number five seed Daniil Medvedev only managed to (he freaked out again) against the Thai Kasidit Samrej after being 1:2 down in sets, she continued her match with 6:2, 4:6, 3:6, 6:1, 6:2.

Qualifier Fonseca showed his enormous potential, which recently saw him crowned ATP Next Gen winner. The confident man from Rio de Janeiro could be the next big star on the tour. Not even in the top 700 a year ago, he is now ranked 112th and there is nothing to stop him from making a meteoric rise after this performance in the night session. In his first major main draw match and his first game against a top 10 player, Fonseca did not let his youth show.

Andrey Rublev had to bow to the 18-year-old Brazilian. © ANSA / LUKAS COCH

Since 1973, only a teenager has managed to win under these circumstances, when Mario Ancic eliminated Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2002. "Not bad. I enjoyed every moment. The first time at a Grand Slam and in such a huge stadium - many thanks to the audience," said Fonseca shortly before 23:30 p.m. local time.

A crowd puller

He only focused on his game. "And I tried to involve the spectators." Fonseca succeeded in doing this, drawing energy from the fans after great rallies. Now Lorenzo Sonego is waiting, having defeated the almost 40-year-old Swiss Stan Wawrinka in four sets.