Fonseca stuns Rublev in Grand Slam debut at Australian Open
Joao Fonseca made a spectacular Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open on Tuesday evening, defeating No.9 seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets to advance to the second round in Melbourne.
The 18-year-old Brazilian, riding a 13-match winning streak, stunned the tennis world with a clinical 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) victory over Rublev in just over two hours.
Fonseca’s fearless play and unrelenting pressure proved too much for the seasoned Russian, a 10-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist.
Fonseca showcased remarkable composure, hitting the fastest forehand of the tournament so far and leaving Rublev scrambling to keep pace.
He tallied 51 winners against just 32 unforced errors, combining power and precision to secure one of the most significant upsets of the tournament’s opening round.
“This is incredible for me,” Fonseca said after the match.
“My first win in a Grand Slam, my first win against a top-10 player, and my first time playing in the main draw of a Grand Slam. I’m just very happy with myself and proud of the way I stayed focused on every point.”
Entering the tournament as a relative unknown, Fonseca’s odds to win the Australian Open have dramatically shortened.
Initially priced well over +9900, he is now listed at +2500 with leading sportsbooks, placing him seventh in outright betting, ahead of notable players like Alex de Minaur and Holger Rune.
Fonseca’s victory builds on his recent success, including titles at the Canberra Challenger and the Next Gen ATP Finals.
His confidence has been bolstered by his current 14-match winning streak, during which he has not dropped a set.
“I’m playing great tennis right now,” Fonseca added.
“I just want to enjoy this moment, keep my level high, and stay consistent. That’s what separates the top players, and I’m working on improving my consistency.”
Fonseca will next face Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who defeated Stan Wawrinka in his opening match.
Fonseca enters as the favourite, with tennis betting odds of -625 to advance further in the tournament.
The young Brazilian’s extraordinary performance has sent a strong message to the tennis world.
His poise, power, and determination suggest this debut is just the beginning of what could be a remarkable Grand Slam journey.
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