In a major upset, 18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca defeated 9th seed Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open. Fonseca, cheered on by Brazilian fans, will now face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in the second round. Meanwhile, 5th seed Daniil Medvedev narrowly avoided the same fate, coming back from a two-set deficit to defeat Thailand's Kasidit Samrej.
Teenager Fonseca Stuns Rublev in Australian Open Upset
In a remarkable upset at the Australian Open, 18-year-old Brazilian qualifier Joao Fonseca dispatched ninth seed Andrey Rublev in his Grand Slam debut. Fonseca, making his first appearance at a major tournament, defeated the Russian 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in a match that lasted nearly three hours.
Cheered on by a vocal contingent of Brazilian fans, Fonseca displayed maturity beyond his years, controlling the pace of the match and dictating the baseline exchanges. Rublev, who had a disappointing 2022 season, struggled to find his rhythm against the up-and-comer.
Fonseca's victory marks a significant moment for Brazilian tennis. He became the first Brazilian man since Guga Kuerten in 2005 to win a match at the Australian Open. The win also propelled him into the second round, where he will face Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.
Meanwhile, fifth seed Daniil Medvedev narrowly avoided a similar fate in his opening match. The Russian trailed Thailand's Kasidit Samrej by two sets to love before fighting back to win in five sets.
Background on Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca was born in 2004 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began playing tennis at a young age and has been training at the prestigious Larri Passos Tennis Institute.
Fonseca won the prestigious Copa Gerdau Brazil Junior International in 2022, becoming the first Brazilian to claim the title since Kuerten. He also reached the final of the Wimbledon Junior Championships.
Fonseca made his ATP Tour debut in Gstaad, Switzerland, in 2022, where he lost in the first round. His victory over Rublev marked his first triumph at the tour level.
Top 5 FAQs
1. How old is Joao Fonseca? Answer: 18 years old
2. Where is Joao Fonseca from? Answer: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3. What is Joao Fonseca's ranking? Answer: Currently ranked 326th in the world
4. Who is Joao Fonseca's coach? Answer: Larri Passos
5. What is the significance of Joao Fonseca's victory over Andrey Rublev? Answer: It is a major upset and marks the first time a Brazilian man has won a match at the Australian Open since Guga Kuerten in 2005.
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