Fonseca claims maiden win at Indian Wells, survives nail-biting third set against Fearnley
The Brazllian has a 15-3 match record at all levels in 2025
© Tristan Lapierre / Tennis Majors
Joao Fonseca squeaked through a tight match against Jacob Fearnley, gaining his first victory at Indian Wells via a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 victory in the opening round.
Joao Fonseca is the third South American teenager, since 1990, to win Masters 1000 matches on multiple surfaces, after Marcelo Rios and Guillermo Coria. The Brazilian (18 years and 197 days) is the youngest of the three, adding yet another record to his impressive rise.
Previously, the young Brazilian had garnered a singular win at Masters 1000 level – against Alex Michelsen in Madrid last year.
Speaking after the victory, Fonseca said:
“It’s been very difficult to play here, windy, and it’s the biggest court I’ve played in so far, so I mean, I’m just very excited with how I played today and with the way that I fought. I was a break down in the third, things are not very good, and then I continued focusing on my game – so I’m very happy.
“Sometimes I just love playing with the crowd, so the support from them is very nice and it is an honour seeing kids inspired by me, so being here with them makes me more excited to play.”
I’m just very excited with how I played today
The Match
Neither player started the match playing perfectly, with the usual Indian Wells wind providing an additional challenge. However, it was the Brazilian sensation who adjusted more quickly and broke in the Brit’s first service game on the first opportunity.
From there, Fonseca didn’t face a break point, breaking again to take to set with a comfortable 6-2.
In the second set, the tables were truly turned with Fearnley winning an impressive 91 percent of first serve points – not giving Fonseca a single break point chance in the set. The forehands and backhands which Fonseca was making with ease in most of the first set were, instead, converted into unforced errors, leading to being broken twice.
The Brit started the third set in sensational fashion, breaking once again in the third game, before two extended service games at 2-1 and – crucially – 3-2 would prove fatal. In typical Fonseca fashion, he displayed some of his best tennis with his back to the wall, breaking back and claiming the last five games of the match to clinch the deciding set 6-3.
Overall, the victor hit 17 winners with 34 unforced errors, compared to Fearnley’s 29 winners and 45 unforced errors – but these numbers should be carefully contextualised with the windy conditions.
Fonseca will next face 2021 Indian Wells champion Cameron Norrie, who he lost to in straight sets in the second round of Madrid in 2024. However, the 18 year old is a different player now, and will certainly be looking for revenge.
