• Tue. Jan 14th, 2025

Australian Open: Joao Fonseca says his expectations are changing to the ‘mentality of a champion’ | Tennis News

Byadmin

Jan 14, 2025


Brazil’s 18-year-old Joao Fonseca says his Australian Open expectations are “changing to the mentality of a champion” after his straight sets victory over ninth seed Andrey Rublev.

The highly-rated teenager knocked out Rublev on Tuesday 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-6 (7-5), displaying his immense talent and incredibly fast forehand.

The Rio de Janeiro-native is the hottest young property in men’s tennis after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Who is Joao Fonseca?

18-year-old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro

ATP’s NextGen Finals champion in December 2024

Grand Slam debutant (2025 Australian Open)

First victory vs a top-10 player (vs Andrey Rublev at Australian Open)

Fastest forehand of any player at the Australian Open so far: 113 mph

14 match wins in a row and 22 sets won in a row (including Next Gen Finals)

When asked if his expectations had changed for the rest of the tournament, Fonseca – who faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego in the second round – admitted his mindset had.

“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 think that’s the mentality of a champion.

“I’m very happy with the way 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.”

Joao Fonseca of Brazil is congratulated by Andrey Rublev, right, of Russia following their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
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Fonseca, who entered the Australian Open as a qualifier, knocked out ninth seed Andrey Rublev in the first round

Fonseca disagreed with claims he was the favourite going in against Rublev.

“I knew the pressure was coming. Like I said, everything was new for me, but for me, I was not the favourite. I’m an 18-year-old guy, he’s a top-10 guy. I’m going to do my best here.

“Of course, I’m confident. I know I can win, but no pressure on myself. That’s what I was trying to do. The nerves came but I mentally stayed.”

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev smashed a net camera in an angry outburst during a five-set win over world No 418 Kasidit Samrej.

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Daniil Medvedev had a massive outburst during his first-round victory over Kasidit Samrej in the Australian Open, destroying the net camera in the process

Medvedev, a finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago, arrived late in Australia following the birth of his second child and was in deep trouble against the Thai wild card.

When the 23-year-old won the third set to go two sets to one up, fifth seed Medvedev repeatedly smacked his racket against the middle of the net, destroying a camera attached there.

But like American teenager Nishesh Bavareddy, who led Novak Djokovic on Monday, Samrej began to struggle physically and Medvedev fought back to win 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.

“I know I play better when I play more tennis,” the Russian said. “Why play one hour 30? Minimum three hours.

“Second and third set, I couldn’t touch the ball. Full power, everything in. I didn’t know what to do. If he plays like this every match, his life can be good. Money, girls, casino.”

Daniil Medvedev of Russia gestures during a break in his first round match against Kasidit Samrej of Thailandat the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
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Medvedev regained his composure to advance to the second round

Samrej earned his wild card by winning the Asia-Pacific Wild Card Play-off, while he warmed up for his Grand Slam debut by training with Djokovic in Thailand last month.

Medvedev struggled during the second half of last season but hopes the newest member of his family will inspire a change in fortunes with wife, Daria, giving birth to the couple’s second child days before the Australian Open.

“It only gives me good energy,” he said. “In the end of last year, this match, I probably would have lost it. New year, new energy, at least for now. I’m happy to have won this match.”

Holger Rune also needed five sets to make it past China’s Zhang Zhizhen while another match that went the distance saw veteran Gael Monfils win the battle of the Frenchmen against his young compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Mpetshi Perricard is one of the hottest young prospects on tour and he sent down by some distance the fastest serve of the tournament so far at 144.2 miles per hour.

But Monfils, who became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title in Auckland at the weekend, triumphed 7-6 (7) 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-7 (5) 6-4.

“I don’t really look up my age,” Monfils said. “It is just a number. Then I try to avoid to think about it, but I can tell you that tomorrow morning I will be more 48 than 38.”

What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?

ABN AMRO Open Rotterdam (ATP 500) – 3-9 February

Dallas Open (ATP 500) – 3-9 February

Delray Beach Open (ATP 250) – 10-16 February

IEB+ Argentina Open (ATP 250) – 10-16 February

Open 13 Provence (ATP 250) – 10-16 February

Transylvania Open (WTA 250) – 3-9 February

Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (WTA 500) – 3-8 February

Qatar TotalEnergies Open (WTA 1000) – 9-15 February

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (WTA 1000) – 16-22 February

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz had a much easier time of it, breezing past fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-2 6-0 6-3, while Ben Shelton beat Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 in a tight all-American clash to secure his first win in 2025.

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and through the Sky Sports app.



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