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Joao Fonseca, the 18-year-old Brazilian qualifier, has taken Melbourne by storm with a remarkable upset over 9th seed Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open. In his Grand Slam main draw debut on Tuesday, 14th January, Fonseca triumphed in straight sets, leaving the tennis world buzzing with excitement.
A rising star to watch
Although Fonseca was ranked outside the top 100 heading into the tournament, many had already taken note of his potential. Prominent figures in tennis, including Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, had been keeping a close eye on the young star, sensing that he was destined for greatness.
Despite never having played in a Grand Slam before, Fonseca's stunning victory over Rublev in the opening round confirmed what many had already suspected: something special was unfolding.
Djokovic's praise: "He's got the goods"
Speaking on Wednesday, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, expressed his admiration for Fonseca’s game. The Serbian revealed that he had been following Fonseca’s rise for over a year, particularly enjoying his composure under pressure. “I’ve been following his rise, and I just love how he plays the big points. Courageous, very clean hitter, all-around player,” said Djokovic.
The world No. 7 also compared Fonseca’s playing style to his own when he was younger. “I see some of my game there in his game, particularly when I was his age... just showing what you're capable of,” Djokovic added. He confidently predicted that the 18-year-old has a bright future ahead, stating, “He’s got the goods definitely. The future is bright for him, no doubt, if he keeps going this way.”
Alcaraz echoes the praise
Carlos Alcaraz, who made a meteoric rise to become the ATP’s youngest-ever world No. 1, also weighed in on Fonseca's performance. Having watched the young Brazilian in action, Alcaraz was full of praise for Fonseca’s composure and skill. “What can I say about it? Just incredible,” said Alcaraz. “The way he played his first Grand Slam match against his first top 10, it's unbelievable... He’s going to be there.”
Alcaraz believes Fonseca’s rise is just beginning. “We’re going to put Joao Fonseca’s name on the list of the best players in the world really soon,” he predicted.
Fonseca will return to the court on Thursday, 16th January, to face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in the second round. Remarkably, Fonseca has already defeated Sonego in their only previous encounter in Bucharest last April. The young star’s rapid ascent continues to captivate the tennis world, with expectations high for his future.
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