Next Gen ATP Finals: Fonseca upsets top seed Fils to top Blue Group after first day
The Brazilian moves to the top of Blue Group after the first day of play
Joao Fonseca at the 2023 US Open
Image Credit: Charles Krupa/AP/SIPA
Brazil’s Joao Fonseca made a stunning debut at the Next Gen ATP Finals on Wednesday with an upset win over top seed Arthur Fils in Jeddah.
The youngest player in the field, 18-year-old Fonseca came from a set down to beat last year’s runner-up Fils 3-4(9), 4-2, 4-1, 1-4, 4-1 for his first career top 20 win.
This was Fonseca’s second win over Fils in as many matches on the ATP Tour.
“It was a good match. I knew it was going to be hard from the first point,” Fonseca said as per the ATP Tour website. “I also knew that the victory that I had against him in Rio would be part of this match. He also knows what I’m capable of… I think in important moments, I played better. I went to the ball and played aggressive like I always play. I think that was the difference today.”
The Brazilian tops the Blue Group standings after the first day of play thanks to a better game-winning percentage compared to Learner Tien, who also won his match in five sets on Wednesday.
Both players will face off on Thursday in a repeat of last year’s US Open boys singles final, which Fonseca won.
