The Brazilian wonderkid is one of the standout stories from a remarkable start to the Australian Open.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTThe first round of Australian Open 2025 hit different, it's been one hell of a ride at Melbourne Park.
Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner demonstrated their class to navigate tricky openers and their main title rivals such as Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz all stormed through.
Here are some head-turning tales from a frenetic first three days Down Under…
He's a name familiar on the tennis circuit, but the global sporting world is poised to meet the hypnotising tennis of Joao Fonseca.
Remember the name, this Brazilian teenage sensation has officially arrived in the big time. First up, he qualified and now on Grand Slam main draw debut has upset world No.9 Andrey Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) courtesy of 51 winners. Find the highlights, it was simply electric.
The 18-year-old, who ended 2024 as the Next Gen ATP Finals champion and started 2025 with ATP Challenger silverware in Canberra, is clearly driven.
"I think when I arrived here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw. Of course, my expectations are bigger now," declared Fonseca. "I want more and more. I think that's the mentality of the champion. So I'm just trying to think about the next match.”
That next match is against the Lorenzo Sonego. The Italian ousted AO 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka across four sets.
American youngster Alex Michelsen also dismissed a high seed in the shape of 2023 runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas. Michelsen was bold and imaginative from the outset during a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 scoreboard.
Court 13 turned into a carnival on Sunday when world No.219 Hady Habib became the first player ever from Lebanon to win a major singles match. The qualifier edged past Bu Yunchaokete 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-6(6) to earn a second round clash with No.14 seed Ugo Humbert.
In under a year since childbirth, former world No.4 Belinda Bencic has catapulted herself back into the Grand Slam conversation with a statement 6-3, 7-6(6) triumph over No.16 seed Jelena Ostapenko.
Like plenty of her peers, motherhood has given Bencic a fresh perspective.
"I feel like I always have motivation to play. I do this obviously for myself. I think it gives me a more relaxed mode," stated the Swiss. "Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself. Now I feel like it's a bit easier to play because there's something more important than tennis."
2019 girls' champion Clara Tauson is making moves again, taking out No.29 seed Linda Noskova with a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 comeback.
10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic was given an early scare by American prodigy Nishesh Basavareddy in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 opener on Rod Laver Arena.
It was the first match the Serbian had Andy Murray in his coaching box, which even Djokovic labelled as a "strange" feeling.
"The court on which we have faced each other the opposite side of the net quite a few times actually. I think we played I don't know how many finals (four). That's why it was a little bit strange to see that and experience that," admitted Djokovic.
"I'm obviously enjoying myself spending time with him on the court and off the court, talking to him about tennis, just picking his brain, understanding how he sees tennis.
"He's constantly supportive and encouraging me. He cares a lot and he's putting a lot of energy into trying to make me feel good on the court.
"I think that's what I need, honestly. I was looking for that extra motivation. I definitely have it with Andy."
Daniil Medvedev is the 2021, 2022 and 2024 runner-up at the Australian Open, but the former world No.1 was off-kilter in a 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 scoreline with Thai wild card Kasidit Samrej. Medvedev will need to up his game in the second round over the net from Next Gen American Learner Tien. The teenage prospect also prevailed in five sets past Camilo Ugo Carabelli 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 on Tuesday.
AO2024 and Naomi Osaka fell in straight sets to Caroline Garcia at the first hurdle. 12 months on, same round, same opponent, two-time Australian Open champion Osaka changed the script with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win.
Next up is pure popcorn as Osaka must outmanoeuvre the supremely gifted No.20 seed Karolina Muchova.
"I fell a little short in the US Open, but my outfit was spectacular," said Osaka smiling, who lost 6-3, 7-6(5) to the Czech in NYC. "I'm hoping this time my tennis can shine a little bit better. Also, I love getting difficult draws. I find that the most fun. It's kind of like once you get a difficult draw, you can prove that you're the best of the best."
Emma Navarro had to dig deep to fend off fellow American Peyton Stearns 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 7-5, whilst US Open 2021 winner Emma Raducanu bolstered British hopes with a 7-6(4), 7-6(2) passage past No.26 seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. A second-round tussle between Raducanu and Amanda Anisimova could produce fireworks.
Playing at the Australian Open for the first time since 2021, former world No.4 Kei Nishikori served up a vintage escape act. The Japanese talisman saved two match points to oust qualifier Thiago Monteiro 4-6, 6-7(4),7-5, 6-2, 6-3 to improve his tour-leading (the same percentage as Djokovic) five-set record to 29-8.
"It's good to have that record because I always have good confidence, and players know that I have good records," said the 35-year-old. "It's good pressure for them."
Nishikori, making up for lost time after three injury maligned campaigns, will head into action with another marathon man in the second round. He'll have to find the answers against No.12 seed Tommy Paul, who eventually evaded danger 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7(5), 7-5 versus green and gold hope Christopher O'Connell.
Other five-set crackers include the evergreen Gael Monfils pipping fellow Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-7(5), 6-3 to kick off his 18th campaign in Melbourne in theatrical style.
No.6 seed Casper Ruud frequently practises with Jaume Munar at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, hence why their 6-3, 1-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 duel in the Norwegian's favour. Frances Tiafoe defied his opponent and sickness with plenty of grit to battle past Arthur Rinderknech by going the distance.
Young guns Holger Rune and Jack Draper were required to head into a decider. No.13 seed Rune held his arms aloft 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 against China's Zhang Zhizhen, whilst No.15 seed Draper prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 over Mariano Navone.
With a French hat on, Arthur Cazaux defied Sebastian Baez in a 6-3, 5-7, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 arm wrestle and Quentin Halys erased a two-set deficit over Australian Adam Walton to book a second-round ticket. Bravo!
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
