How Did Fonseca Become the Second-Youngest Match Winner at Roland Garros?
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Synopsis
In a spectacular debut at Roland Garros, Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca stunned the tennis world by beating Hubert Hurkacz, marking his place as the second-youngest match winner in the tournament's history. His impressive performance showcases his potential as a rising star in tennis.
Key Takeaways
- Joao Fonseca shines in his debut at Roland Garros.
- Defeated Hubert Hurkacz decisively.
- Second-youngest winner in the last decade.
- Focused gameplay contributed to his success.
- Next match against veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Paris, May 28 (NationPress) Brazilian prodigy Joao Fonseca made an impressive debut at Roland Garros, defeating the in-form Hubert Hurkacz with a score of 6-2, 6-4, 6-2. This victory positions him as the second-youngest match winner at this prestigious clay-court event in the last decade, following Carlos Alcaraz, who achieved the same at 18 in 2021, as per ATP records.
At just 18 years old and still months away from his 19th birthday, Fonseca showed remarkable composure against Hurkacz, dominating the match from the outset. He broke serve twice in the first set and opened the second set with a stunning cross-court volley that electrified the crowd.
“I played really well, focusing a lot on the returns and serves. I knew a lot of great serves were going to come and I was just focusing on putting the first return [in], the plus one, the return plus-one, put it in the middle and try to be as aggressive as I can. Try to focus on opportunities, go to the net, and try to be aggressive when I can,” stated Fonseca.
With an overall tour-level season record of 11-7, Fonseca previously secured a significant victory at the Australian Open by defeating ninth seed Andrey Rublev. Additionally, he clinched his first tour-level title the following month in Buenos Aires, according to ATP data.
Fonseca's next challenge will be against French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert, who is 16 years older than him.
In another match, Jack Draper continued to evolve on clay as he overcame a challenging start to secure his first match win at Roland Garros, defeating Mattia Bellucci with scores of 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 under the closed roof of Court Suzanne-Lenglen due to persistent rain.
Draper is eager to add a Grand Slam title to his recent Masters 1000 crown, which he won in March in Indian Wells.
Point of View
I believe that Joao Fonseca's remarkable debut at Roland Garros not only showcases his talent but also highlights the emergence of new tennis stars on the global stage. His victory is a testament to youthful determination and skill, promising an exciting future for the sport.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joao Fonseca?
Joao Fonseca is an 18-year-old Brazilian tennis player who recently made headlines by becoming the second-youngest match winner at Roland Garros.
What was Fonseca's score against Hurkacz?
Fonseca won against Hubert Hurkacz with a score of 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.
What records did Fonseca achieve at Roland Garros?
Fonseca became the second-youngest match winner at Roland Garros in the last 10 years, following Carlos Alcaraz.
What is Fonseca's current season record?
Fonseca holds an 11-7 record in the current tour-level season.
Who will Fonseca face next?
He will face French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert in his next match.
