RIO DE JANEIRO — Joao Fonseca grew to become the primary participant born in 2006 to win an ATP tour-level match when the 17-year-old Brazilian beat seventh-seeded Arthur Fils 6-0, 6-4 on the Rio Open on Wednesday.
Fonseca defeated the No. 36-ranked Frenchman in entrance of raucous followers on the clay court docket event in Rio de Janeiro. He knelt on the court docket in tears to have a good time.
“That is the place I belong. I need to be in these big stadiums,” stated Fonseca, who received the US Open boys singles title final yr. “Now it’s all about specializing in the method.”
The Brazilian, at the moment ranked No. 655, is predicted to leap about 200 positions after beating Fils. Fonseca stated he’s but to resolve whether or not he’ll play tennis for an American college later this yr.
“For now I’m very targeted within the pro-tour, I need to get to the highest,” stated Fonseca. “That’s going to be a private resolution with my household, I will not make it public now,.”
His opponent within the spherical of 16 shall be Cristian Garin of Chile.
Fonseca’s victory introduced some new vitality for native followers, who noticed three of the title favorites crash out Tuesday.
Carlos Alcaraz deserted his match towards Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro attributable to an ankle harm; three-time main winner Stan Wawrinka misplaced to Argentina’s Facundo Díaz Acosta in straight units; and Chile’s Nicolás Jarry was knocked out by Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann in three units.
Fourth-seeded Francisco Cerúndolo of Argentina superior to the quarterfinals by beating Spain’s Albert Ramos-Viñolas 6-2, 6-1.
Rain later postponed to Thursday the match between second-seeded and defending champion Cameron Norrie towards Chile’s Tomás Barrios Vera for a spot among the many final eight.
