Brazil’s teen sensation Joao Fonseca a winner despite Australian Open loss

MELBOURNE – Endless queues outside Melbourne Park’s 1573 Arena on a sunny Jan 16 afternoon gave casual fans the impression that a Grand Slam champion was in action, but a quick peek inside revealed the carnival atmosphere and explained the interest.

Dressed in bright yellow Brazilian jerseys and waving their flags, singing fans were raising the decibel levels as the South American country’s new teenage sensation Joao Fonseca was looking to extend his Australian Open adventure.

The 18-year-old qualifier became the talk of the town after beating ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the first round on his Slam debut on Jan 14 and dragged experienced Italian Lorenzo Sonego to five sets before losing 6-7 (6-8), 6-3, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

“I think after the battle against Rublev, the expectations got bigger. My expectations were bigger too,” Fonseca said.

“I was more nervous than the match against Rublev. I already had a win against Sonego. I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit nervous. I think the experience was the big difference today.”

Dominated for more than two decades by the “Big Three” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, men’s tennis is entering a fresh era with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, 23, and the 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz leading the way.

Even as that young duo lay the groundwork for an enduring rivalry at the top of the game, a new generation looks set to push them hard, going by the immense promise Fonseca and his colleagues have shown at the year’s opening Grand Slam.

Czech 19-year-old Jakub Mensik upset sixth seed Casper Ruud on Jan 15 to mark the first time two teenagers had beaten top-10 opponents at the same Grand Slam since Djokovic and Andy Murray at Wimbledon in 2006.

“It’s great that there’s a new blood,” said Mensik, who lost 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-4, 6-2 to Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round on Jan 17.

“We can see that tennis is moving on. We can see different or new names in tournaments. For the fans, for the tennis, for everything, it’s really great.”

American Learner Tien made it three later when the 19-year-old landed the biggest shock so far. The left-hander outlasted Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev on Margaret Court Arena in a late-night five-set epic, lasting almost five hours.

While the trio have made a name for themselves, it is the mop-haired Fonseca who has really captured the hearts of fans with his fearless approach and affable nature, drawing praise from Djokovic, who eased past Czech Tomas Machac 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 in the third round on Jan 17.

It was no surprise that Fonseca’s supporters inside the 3,000-capacity stadium chanted his name to drown out Italian voices as Sonego celebrated victory.

“The Brazilian people, they like to cheer for a promising kid. I don’t know why me. I think people think too much about me. I just want to be me, play tennis and do well,” said Fonseca, the youngest player in the top 200 at world No. 112.

“It’s my dream to play the tour, where the top 50 players play.

“The Masters, ATP 500s, 250s. In my opinion, the sky’s the limit.

“I need to work to reach my dream, which is become No. 1.”

As promise looks to translate into success, the tennis scene is currently lit by Spaniard Alcaraz. He overcame Portugal’s Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-2 on Jan 17 to reach the fourth round as he closes in his bid to win his fifth Major crown.

Hoping to stop him and secure his very first Slam title is German Alexander Zverev, who defeated Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 on Jan 17. REUTERS