Joao Fonseca returns to ATP Challenger level with Struff scalp to reach Quarter-Finals

Brazil’s young tennis sensation Joao Fonseca cemented his place in the quarterfinal of the ATP Challengers event in Phoenix. The 18-year-old is already regarded as the one for the future and has already delivered some impressive performances on the court.

Fonseca, who recently featured in the ATP 1000 event — Indian Wells — where he lost in the second round to Britain’s Jack Draper, is currently taking part in the Challengers event in Phoenix, where he cemented his spot in the quarterfinal after beating Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in the round of 16 with a score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

Talking after the match, Fonseca admitted that it was a difficult day for him where he couldn’t train properly because of the rain. He also stated that he was ‘happy’ with the way he ‘fought’ on the court. “It was difficult to warm up today, a lot of rain,” he said. “It’s cold outside, a little bit windy, so it was difficult to focus. I’m happy with the way that I fought today.” The Rio de Janeiro-born star is now set to face Hugo Gaston of France in the last-eight. He cemented his spot in the quarterfinal after beating America’s Reilly Opelka in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3.

Fonseca is going through a fabulous season. The youngster, earlier this year, lifted the Argentina Open after defeating the home crowd favourite Francisco Cerundolo in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6. Talking after that match, Fonseca stated that it was an ‘unbelievable’ week in Argentina.

"Unbelievable week, even in Argentina there are some Brazilians cheering for me,” he said. “That’s just amazing. Every Brazilian, everyone from their country wants this support from your own country. For me, this [moment] that I’m living is just unbelievable. I want to thank my family, my friends and my sponsors for just helping me achieve my dream, which is to play tennis. Of course I want to be No. 1, of course I want to win Slams, titles, but my dream is just to play tennis, and I’m living it.”