Peter Staples/ATP Tour
Joao Fonseca reaches the third round at an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time.
By ATP Staff
Joao Fonseca further outlined his credentials as one of the Tour’s brightest prospects on Saturday at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
The 18-year-old Brazilian delivered a five-star display to defeat 19th seed Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-3 and reach the third round at an ATP Masters 1000 for the first time in his fledgling career. Fonseca is the youngest player to achieve that feat since Carlos Alcaraz in Paris in 2021.
Born for the biggest stages 🏟️🦸♂️
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Joao Fonseca becomes the youngest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 third round since Carlos Alcaraz, 18, at Paris 2021! @MiamiOpen | #MiamiOpen pic.twitter.com/jHG94Mhbwn
Due to a last-minute schedule change, Fonseca and Humbert's second-round clash was relocated from Grandstand to Stadium. Although the Brazilian fans arrived gradually, filling the stands by the middle of the opening set, they quickly created a lively atmosphere as Fonseca surged to victory.
“When the crowd is with any player, they are more hyped,” said Fonseca. “I started the match today super relaxed, with no nerves. That was good, I served well. I had a quick break, he was maybe a little bit more nervous in the beginning, but I started well and that’s what made the difference.
“Against lefties, they like the crosscourts with their forehand. My backhand today was pretty good and I had the chance to play more aggressively with my forehand. I didn’t let him have opportunities on my serve [either].”
Fonseca broke Humbert's serve to love in the opening game and did not look back en route to a 71-minute victory, in which he did not face a break point, according to Infosys ATP Stats.
In stark contrast to his opener against fellow #NextGenATP star Learner Tien, in which he suffered physically in the latter stages, Fonseca showed no signs of discomfort in a free-hitting performance. He dropped just four points on his serve throughout his encounter with Humbert, improving to 3-2 vs. Top-20 players and levelling his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with the Frenchman at 1-1.
Fonseca has enjoyed a rapid rise at the start of the 2025 season. The reigning Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion claimed his maiden tour-level title in Buenos Aires in February and is now up to a new career-high No. 58 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
Alex de Minaur awaits in the Miami third round after his 6-4, 6-4 victory against Buyunchaokete on Saturday night. The 10th-seeded Aussie lost just four point on first serve (28/32) did not face a break point in his Miami opener.
Now 15-1 against players outside the Top 30 this season, De Minaur is bidding to improve upon his fourth-round Miami run last year — his best result in five previous appearances at the ATP Masters 1000.
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