Joao Fonseca BRA, 08.21.2006 – ATP Photo
In his first participation in a Masters 1000 tournament, the young Brazilian João Fonseca (242nd) he showed ability to react to overcome a difficult start and achieve a great comeback against the American Alex Michelsen (70th), advancing to the second round in Madrid. Fonseca, who entered the main draw thanks to a wild card, won 16 of the last 20 games of the match, closing the match with scores of 4-6, 6-0 6-2, in exactly two hours of play.
The 17-year-old from Rio de Janeiro admitted initial nervousness when Michelsen led 4-0 in the first set. However, still in the first set, Fonseca managed to enter the match, recovered one of the breaks and balanced the match, but the American still closed 6-4. Starting from the second set, the Brazilian kept his foot on the accelerator and completely dominated, achieving three times as many winners (nine to three) and half as many unforced errors (four to eight) compared to his opponent, drawing the match with a “bagel” in less than half an hour.
In the third and decisive set, Fonseca continued to push, immediately obtaining a break and taking a 3-0 lead. Michelsen tried to react, but the Brazilian was relentless, maintaining a high level of play and closing the set 6-2, thus completing a beautiful comeback.
With the victory, João Fonseca approaches the top 220 of the ATP rankings and prepares to face the former top 10 Cameron Norrie (30th in the world) in the next round.
In an interview after the match, the young talent underlined the importance of the support of the Madrid crowd to overcome the initial nervousness and turn the match around.
“I was super nervous in the first set, I couldn’t play well. I tried to breathe, to look at my coach. At the beginning of the second one, I started to feel better. The crowd helped me make this transition and play a little more solidly,” revealed Fonseca.
The Brazilian also spoke about adapting to the professional circuit and the series of good results he has been achieving in recent weeks. “This is my fifth ATP tournament. I feel a little more comfortable, I already know some players. But it’s the first Masters 1000, I felt nervous and tense,” he admitted.
With the Madrid tournament, João Fonseca practically secures a place in the qualifying table for the Wimbledon tournament, the next Slam of the season. “I hope to play at Wimbledon, I have a few points to defend. I can’t wait. Last year I had good results on grass. I’m enjoying tournament after tournament, without thinking too much ahead,” concluded the promising Brazilian tennis player.
ATP Madrid
6
0
2
Joao Fonseca4
6
6
Winner: Fonseca
Service
Execution
Set 3
A. Michelsen
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
30-30
30-40
2-5 → 2-6
J. Fonseca
0-15
3-3pm
15-30
15-40
30-40
40-40
40-A
40-40
40-A
40-40
A-40
ace
1-3 → 1-4
A. Michelsen
0-15
0-30
15-30
30-30
30-40
40-40
A-40
40-40
40-A
1-2 → 1-3
J. Fonseca
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
40-15
40-30
40-40
A-40
1-1 → 1-2
A. Michelsen
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
40-15
40-30
0-1 → 1-1
Service
Execution
Set 2
A. Michelsen
0-15
0-30
0-40
15-40
30-40
40-40
40-A
0-5 → 0-6
A. Michelsen
15-0
3-3pm
30-15
40-15
40-30
40-40
40-A
0-3 → 0-4
J. Fonseca
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
ace
40-15
0-2 → 0-3
J. Fonseca
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
30-30
40-30
0-0 → 0-1
Service
Execution
Set 1
A. Michelsen
0-15
0-30
15-30
30-30
40-30
40-40
A-40
40-40
A-40
5-4 → 6-4
J. Fonseca
15-0
3-3pm
15-30
15-40
30-40
40-40
A-40
5-3 → 5-4
A. Michelsen
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
40-15
ace
4-3 → 5-3
A. Michelsen
0-15
0-30
15-30
30-30
40-30
40-40
40-A
4-1 → 4-2
J. Fonseca
15-0
3-3pm
15-30
30-30
30-40
40-40
A-40
ace
4-0 → 4-1
A. Michelsen
15-0
3-3pm
30-15
40-15
40-30
3-0 → 4-0
J. Fonseca
0-15
3-3pm
30-15
30-30
40-30
40-40
40-A
2-0 → 3-0
A. Michelsen
15-0
ace
30-0
40-0
40-15
40-30
1-0 → 2-0
J. Fonseca
15-0
3-3pm
30-15
40-15
40-30
40-40
40-A
0-0 → 1-0
Francesco Paolo Villarico
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