João Fonseca continues to make history at the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells. This Sunday, with an impeccable performance, the Brazilian, 35th in the world, gave no chance to the American Tommy Paul (24th in the rankings, aged 28), defeated by 6/2 and 6/3, in 1h22m. With this triumph, in his first round of 16 match at this level in his career, the 19-year-old from Rio will challenge, on Tuesday, none other than the Italian Jannik Sinner, second in the ranking. The confrontation is unprecedented.
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– From the beginning I played my game, focused and putting pressure on. I'm happy with the way I played today. Happy with how I handled it when I got down in the second set, staying positive and having that positive mindset, staying focused throughout the match – celebrated the Brazilian, who, until this Sunday, had the best result in Masters 1000 in the third round in Cincinnati and Miami, both last year.
Asked about the difference in his game from a year ago, when he fell in the second round of Indian Wells, against the champion, the British Jack Draper, the Brazilian responded, with all the maturity and sincerity that are peculiar to him:
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– Today I am much more capable of playing big matches, I am more aware of what I need to do to beat big opponents like Paul and Khachanov (Karen, Russian, 16th, defeated in the second round, saving two match-points). Any tennis player always wants to face the best.
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The Brazilian also spoke about his next rival:
– It goes without saying that Sinner is a giant player. He has already won several tournaments, he and Alcaraz are winning everything, so it's time to rest tomorrow and return to the court on Tuesday. I'll try to push him as much as possible. It will be a pleasure to play against one of the best players in the world, and I will try to win.
With this Sunday's feat, coach Guilherme Teixeira's pupil becomes the fourth youngest to go this far in a Masters 1000 tournament.
➡️Mini-craques of the Future: Bonini and the challenge of transitioning to professional
➡️João Fonseca's next rival won a spectacular point against Alcaraz; video
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➡️ Tennis: 19 years ago, Djokovic and Nadal made their first final at Indian Wells
2nd set: João Fonseca 6/3
- Without giving his rival a chance, the Brazilian finishes the game and makes history
- With a pass on the right parallel, João Fonseca breaks again and serves for the game at 5/3
- Paul shows resistance, but the Brazilian confirms (4/3) and vibrates.
- With difficulties, the host draws the partial at 3/3.
- Brazil's number 1 confirms from zero and turns to 3/2.
- Pushed by the fans, the carioca returns the break and serves at 2/2.
- This time without any difficulties, the Brazilian confirms the serve.
- The American confirms from zero and opens 2/0.
- Paul earns his first break of the game and will serve at 1/0.
- João Fonseca starts on serve.
1st set: João Fonseca 6/2
- The Brazilian continues to press, achieves another break and closes at 6/2. Right awaythe number 1 in the country calls for medical attention.
- João risks returning serve and wastes the first set point.
- Coach Guilherme Teixeira's pupil continues to be on the court and opens 5/2.
- With his second ace of the game, the host reduces the deficit to 4/2.
- Firm with his groundstrokes, Brazil's number 1 has yet another break. But he misses the serve return and wastes the chance.
- The Brazilian makes his first ace of the match and opens 4/1.
- Paul comes out of the hole and reduces the deficit to 3/1.
- On the ropes, the host serves at 0/40 and saves three more breaks.
- Without any fear, the 19-year-old from Rio de Janeiro opens 3/0.
- João Fonseca takes advantage the second break and wins the break. He will serve at 2/0.
- Paul saves the first break in the second game.
- Brazil's number 1 confirms the service, and the fans shout 'João Fonseca'.
- The Brazilian starts by serving the game.
- João Fonseca and Paul are already on the court.
Source: https://www.lance.com.br/tenis/joao-fonseca-faz-historia-em-indian-wells-e-desafia-sinner.html
