Fonseca Defeats Rublev, Clinches Tips Style Masters Title

Vegas Tennis Team
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Fonseca Defeats Rublev, Clinches Tips Style Masters Title

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Photo credit: Hannah Peters/Getty

The “Q” marking Joao Fonseca’s name signified his qualifier status at this year’s Australian Open, but after his stunning victory over ninth-seeded Andrey Rublev, perhaps a flame emoji would serve him better.

With a fierce game that illuminated every corner of the court, 18-year-old Fonseca was nothing short of electrifying.

Kyrgios: The Trip is Over

In a showdown between former junior world No. 1s, Fonseca stood undeterred by Rublev’s strength or the high-stakes atmosphere of Margaret Court Arena.

“I understood the pressure was real. Everything was new to me, but I wasn’t the favorite,” Fonseca reflected after the match. “I just approached the court knowing I’m an 18-year-old against a top-10 player. I aimed to give my best. I believe I can win, but I didn’t allow pressure to overwhelm me.”

“When I went two sets up, I started to think, ‘Maybe I can win this,’ and I focused on maintaining my drive. Sure, nerves crept in, but I managed to keep my composure.”

Tennis Express

The dynamic native of Rio de Janeiro extended his winning streak to 14 matches, including eight consecutive victories at the Tour level.

Having perfectly prepped for the AO by clinching the Canberra title, Fonseca has not dropped a single set in 2025, dominating all three qualifying rounds with straight-set wins.

As his momentum builds, Fonseca adjusts his Melbourne goals, fully aware of his potential. Next up, he’s set to battle 29-year-old Italian Lorenzo Sonego for a coveted position in the AO third round.

“When I first arrived, my main aim was simply to qualify for the main draw,” Fonseca shared. “Now, my aspirations are soaring. I want to achieve even more. I’m thrilled with today’s performance and victory, but I’m already looking ahead to the next match.”

“It’s going to be a tough battle against a phenomenal player. I crave more success. That’s the mindset of a champion, and I’m focusing on what’s next.”

Standing at 6’1″ and weighing 162 pounds, Fonseca showcases remarkable agility and versatility, skillfully creating angles and pace. Against one of the game’s most powerful forehands—Rublev’s—Fonseca struck a remarkable 51 winners, outpacing the Russian by 18.

His talent for dynamic striking was evident as he served up an ace to clinch the second set at love. A natural shotmaker, Fonseca has developed a reputation as a crowd-pleaser, reversing directions with ease and thrilling fans with his down-the-line shots.

Much like young star Carlos Alcaraz, Fonseca connects with fans effortlessly, rallying the crowd’s energy with every winner.

“One-third of the crowd was Brazilian, so it felt like I was at home, with everyone cheering for me,” he said, beaming. “The atmosphere was just incredible. I love engaging with the crowd, so it was super enjoyable for me.”

Though most players would target Rublev’s backhand, Fonseca flipped the script, aggressively challenging the Russian’s powerhouse forehand, forcing Rublev to scramble defensively.

This strategic move paid off as Fonseca deftly delivered backhand winners down the line, keeping Rublev on his toes.

While his two-handed backhand is a formidable asset, Fonseca idolizes the elegance of one-handed masters—Roger Federer and Brazilian tennis icon Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten.

“Roger has always been my idol,” Fonseca revealed. “Growing up, I watched a lot of his matches. Like many, I aspired to play like him. I even tried switching to a one-handed backhand, but my elbow didn’t agree, so I returned to two-handed.”

“Both Roger and Guga inspire me immensely, not just for their tennis but for who they are off the court as well. They are true icons.”



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