Joao Fonseca’s Stunning Victory Over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open
Joao Fonseca, the young Brazilian tennis talent, produced a remarkable performance to defeat Andrey Rublev in the first round of the Australian Open. The 18-year-old, playing in his first Grand Slam main draw, recorded his first career win over a top-10 player by hitting 51 winners compared to Rublev’s 33, securing a 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) victory in two hours and 23 minutes.
A Unique Split-Step
In the final moments of the match, Joao Fonseca’s split-step, a small hop he uses when receiving a serve, was notably different. Instead of the usual forward hop, he moved slightly to his right. It was a risky move, but it worked perfectly as he read Rublev’s powerful 192 kmph serve, returning it with precision and setting up the match-winning forehand.
A Career-Defining Win
This win is undoubtedly the biggest of Joao Fonseca’s career. His attacking style, evident in his 51 winners, was the key to his success. One of his forehands reached a speed of 181 kmph, the fastest winner of the tournament so far. After the match, Fonseca shared a confident smile, saying, “Not bad, huh,” during his interview on Margaret Court Arena.
A Year of Rapid Progress
A year ago, Fonseca was ranked 727 in the world and had not yet turned professional. Since then, he has made a meteoric rise, gaining attention after securing a wild card for the ATP 500 event in Rio, where he beat top players like Arthur Fils and Cristian Garin. By the end of 2023, he had claimed the Junior US Open title and qualified for the ATP Next Gen Finals, where he won the title as the lowest-ranked player.
A Perfect Start to 2025
This year, Joao Fonseca has continued his winning streak, remaining undefeated in the 2025 season with nine straight wins, including the Canberra Challenger. His victory over Rublev is expected to push him into the ATP top 100 rankings.
Composure Under Pressure
Fonseca has shown remarkable composure in high-pressure situations, especially in the tiebreaks against Rublev. Despite facing tense moments, Fonseca stayed calm and played some of his best tennis when it mattered the most. “On the important points, I play better,” he said, emphasizing his ability to rise to the occasion.
Respect and Acknowledgement
After the match, Rublev, known for his intense on-court demeanor, warmly hugged Fonseca, acknowledging the young Brazilian’s victory. It was a rare gesture from Rublev, who would recognize that Fonseca didn’t just win, but played with determination and skill.
In this win, Fonseca proved not only his talent but his mental strength, and the tennis world is certainly taking notice of this rising star.
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