Joao Fonseca downs Learner Tien again, advances to Miami Open second round

Joao Fonseca claimed victory in a Next Gen showdown against Learner Tien, winning 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-4 to advance to the second round of the Miami Open. The 18-year-old Brazilian defeated Tien for the third consecutive time, following two meetings at the Next Gen ATP Finals, including the tournament’s final.

Fonseca bounced back after dropping the first set, holding firm in crucial service games and excelling under pressure in a tightly contested match.

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Fonseca falls short in tiebreak as Tien takes the opener

Fonseca started strong, breaking Tien in the opening game after the American handed him three break opportunities. The Brazilian quickly surged ahead 2-0, but the advantage didn’t last long as Fonseca soon faced break points of his own.

Tien aimed to take the initiative, but his game was plagued with unforced errors. Meanwhile, Fonseca positioned himself deeper behind the baseline to counter his opponent’s depth. Both players held their serves well, boasting over 70% first-serve effectiveness. Though Fonseca had several break chances, Tien held firm under pressure, pushing the set to a tiebreak.

In the tiebreak, Tien took control early, capitalising on a double fault from Fonseca to go up 3-0. Backed by strong serving and a few errors from the Brazilian, Tien sealed the tiebreak comfortably, 7-6[7-1].

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Fonseca strikes back, levels match with solid second set

Despite Tien’s unexpected lead — in a set where Fonseca had appeared slightly better — the second set saw both players maintain a high level with minimal break opportunities. This time, however, Fonseca held his nerve under pressure. After earning a couple of break points, he broke Tien in the fourth game to take the lead.

In just over 20 minutes, the 18-year-old was up 4-1, then clung to his serve to maintain his advantage. Although Tien remained strong on serve, he only had one break point chance in the set, which Fonseca saved with an ace. The Brazilian closed the set 6-3 without facing further trouble.

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Fonseca clinches comeback victory

Determined to take control, Fonseca came out firing in the final set, feeding off the crowd’s energy. Despite facing a local favourite, the young Brazilian won over the Miami audience with his passionate celebrations and interactions.

With Fonseca leading 3-2 before his serve, he requested a medical timeout but showed no signs of discomfort afterward. Both players held their service games with authority, producing several love holds. As the pressure mounted, Fonseca showed no hesitation, serving out the set 6-4 to clinch the victory.

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In the second round, Fonseca will face France’s 19th seed Ugo Humbert, who received a first-round bye. The 18-year-old returns to the live rankings’ top 60 while celebrating his maiden Miami Open win.

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