18-Year-Old Fonseca Knocks Rublev Out of Australian Open
Teenage prospect Joao Fonseca took the Australian Open by storm on Tuesday night in Melbourne, ousting No.9 seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets in his first-ever Grand Slam appearance.
The much-touted 18-year-old entered the round-one clash on a 13-match winning streak, having made his way through qualifying after winning a Challenger in Canberra and the Next Gen ATP Finals late last year.
Tennis betting sites offered generous odds of $2.20 for the Brazilian to upset 10-time major quarter-finalist Rublev.
As it happened, these odds were brilliant value, as Fonseca played like a man possessed for two hours and 23 minutes, racing past Rublev 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5).
The teen was incredible under pressure, upping the speed of his shots – he hit the fastest forehand of the tournament so far – and leaving Rublev helpless across the majority of big points in the match.
Fonseca’s victory, in which he blazed 51 winners to just 32 unforced errors, has caused his odds of winning the title in Melbourne to shorten dramatically.
Many top bookmakers had the newcomer at more than $100 to win the title.
Now, Marantelli Bet has shortened his odds to just $26 – the seventh line of betting, ahead of the likes of Alex de Minaur ($34), Holger Rune ($67) and Jack Draper ($67).
“It’s just amazing, for me, what I did,” Fonseca said in his post-match press conference.
“My first win in a Grand Slam, my first win against a top-10 player, my first time playing in main draw of a Grand Slam.
“Everything’s new for me, but I played such a good match.
“I’m just very happy with myself, very proud the way that I fought, and the way that I stayed mentally on every game, every point.”
Fonseca went on to explain that his recent winning streak – which now sits at 14 matches and 22 sets in a row – gave him confidence heading into the biggest match of his life.
“For sure, the Next Gen gave me confidence,” he said.
“I mean, I’m playing great tennis, so I need to enjoy this moment, to play my best.
“I’m playing good, so I’m feeling confident.
“[I] just try to go point per point and try to play good against those guys, increase my level when the important points came.”
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Up next, Fonseca faces Italian veteran Lorenzo Sonego, who ousted Stan Wawrinka in his opening match.
The Brazilian is a $1.16 favourite at Marantelli Bet to prevail, with Fonseca explaining that consistency is his goal now.
“I think we try to continue,” he said.
“That’s what the difference between the top players, the consistency, and I’m trying to improve my consistency.
“I think when I arrived here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw.
“Of course, my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more.
“I’m very happy with the way that I played today with the win, but I already think about the next match.
“It’s going to be a good one against a very great player.
“Yeah, want more and more.
“I think that’s the mentality of the champion.
“So I’m just trying to think about the next match.”