Fonseca beats Ruud 7-6, 6-3 in Montreal to set Shelton clash
Synopsis
Joao Fonseca trailed 2-4 in the first set against Casper Ruud before engineering a composed comeback to win 7-6(6), 6-3 in Montreal — and now faces defending champion Ben Shelton in a rematch of their Munich quarterfinal. Two teenagers in the last 16 at the same Masters 1000 event: it hasn't happened since Shapovalov and Tsitsipas in 2018.
Key Takeaways
Joao Fonseca defeated Casper Ruud 7-6(6), 6-3 at the Canadian Open in Montreal on 8 August .
Fonseca reached the last 16 of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the third time in his career.
He next faces fifth seed and defending champion Ben Shelton — a rematch of their Munich quarterfinal, which Shelton won.
Fonseca and fellow 19-year-old Rafael Jodar are both in the fourth round — the first two teenagers to do so at this event since Shapovalov and Tsitsipas in 2018 .
Fonseca improved his head-to-head record against former world No.
2 Ruud to 2-0 , having first beaten him at Roland Garros two months ago.
Joao Fonseca of Brazil overcame a shaky opening to defeat Casper Ruud 7-6(6), 6-3 at the Canadian Open in Montreal on 8 August, advancing to the last 16 of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the third time in his career. The 19-year-old will next face fifth seed and defending champion Ben Shelton of the United States in a highly anticipated fourth-round showdown.
A Rocky Start, A Composed Recovery
Fonseca looked vulnerable early, allowing seven break points across his first three service games and surrendering a break to fall 2-4 on centre court, according to ATP Stats. But the teenager swiftly changed gears, breaking back immediately and leaning on his lethal baseline game to seize control of the match.
A clutch inside-out forehand winner sparked a mini-comeback from 3/5 down in the first-set tie-break, with Fonseca closing out the opener on his second set point. In the second set, he was near-flawless — breaking for 2-0 with a highlight-filled game that featured a backhand overhead winner and two backhand groundstroke winners. He did not face a single break point in the second set.
'These are the matches that you're most proud of, because you find a way to solve the problem,' Fonseca said. 'Today I solved it... It's a tough opponent, and I'm very proud of myself.' The Brazilian had adapted mid-match by treating his aggressive second serves as first serves after his early struggles.
Historic Teen Milestone at Montreal
Fonseca's run means he joins compatriot and fellow 19-year-old Rafael Jodar in the fourth round — the first time two teenagers have simultaneously reached the last 16 at this event since Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas did so in 2018, according to the ATP Tour. Notably, neither teenager has dropped a set in their two victories this week.
Fonseca also improved his Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Ruud to 2-0. His first win over the former world No. 2 came just two months ago at Roland Garros, a result that propelled the Brazilian into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
The Shelton Rematch
The fourth-round clash with Ben Shelton carries added intrigue as a rematch of their Munich quarterfinal earlier this season, which Shelton won. Shelton reached the last 16 in Montreal with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over Zizou Bergs of Belgium.
Other Fourth-Round Results
Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Australian qualifier Alexei Popyrin. Jacob Mencek of Czechia also progressed, defeating Terence Atmane of the Netherlands 7-5, 6-4.
With two teenagers in the last 16 and a blockbuster Fonseca-Shelton rematch on the horizon, the Canadian Open is shaping up as one of the more compelling Masters 1000 events of the season.
Point of View
Most teenagers at this level fold; Fonseca restructured his game on the fly and closed the set in a tie-break. The Shelton rematch is the real test: Munich showed Shelton can neutralise Fonseca's baseline aggression with pace. What the Montreal draw has quietly produced, however, is a generational storyline — two 19-year-olds in the last 16 of a Masters 1000, echoing the 2018 crop that went on to reshape the tour. Whether Fonseca and Jodar are that generation's answer remains to be seen, but the early evidence is compelling.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in Joao Fonseca's win over Casper Ruud at the Canadian Open?
Fonseca defeated Ruud 7-6(6), 6-3 in Montreal on 8 August. He trailed 2-4 in the first set before recovering to win the tie-break and then dominated the second set without facing a break point.
Who does Fonseca play next in Montreal?
Fonseca will face fifth seed and defending champion Ben Shelton of the United States in the fourth round. It is a rematch of their Munich quarterfinal earlier this season, which Shelton won.
Why is Fonseca's run at the Canadian Open historically significant?
Fonseca and fellow 19-year-old Rafael Jodar have both reached the last 16, marking the first time two teenagers have advanced to the fourth round at this event since Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2018, according to the ATP Tour.
What is Fonseca's head-to-head record against Ruud?
Fonseca leads his head-to-head series with Ruud 2-0. His first win came at Roland Garros two months ago, sending him into his maiden Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Who else advanced to the fourth round at the Canadian Open?
Ben Shelton beat Zizou Bergs 6-3, 6-2. Argentina's Thiago Agustin Tirante defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-3, 6-4, and Jacob Mencek of Czechia beat Terence Atmane of the Netherlands 7-5, 6-4.
