Joao Fonseca bounces back in Indian Wells opener, sets Jack Draper clash

Joao Fonseca secured a remarkable 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Jacob Fearnley, advancing to the second round of Indian Wells. In his first appearance at Tennis Paradise, the 18-year-old player ensured his progression and returned to winning ways after his painful defeat at the Rio Open.

The world No. 80 experienced a dip in form during the second set, where Fearnley even outpaced him in rallies. However, the Brazilian regained his momentum, producing a notable comeback victory after being a break down in the third set.

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First Set

Expectations are always high when Fonseca steps onto the court, and Indian Wells was no exception. The Brazilian won over the crowd early on, securing a break in the opening games to lead 2-0. He quickly took control of the match, maintaining his advantage without conceding a single break point.

The efficiency was on Fonseca’s side—he won 77% of points on his first serve, while Fearnley managed just 44%. Additionally, the British player racked up 14 unforced errors, compared to 8 from Fonseca. At 5-2, Fearnley felt the pressure, losing his serve for a second time and allowing the teenager to seal the set 6-2.

Second Set

Fonseca maintained his intensity at the start of the second set, creating early break opportunities with a couple of powerful forehands, but Fearnley showed resilience to hold his serve. At 2-1, the first break came. Fearnley started dictating the pace, hitting faster shots that pushed Fonseca into defensive positions, making it harder for the Brazilian to hit clean winners.

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The biggest surprise came when Fearnley built an impressive streak, winning the last five games in a row. He won 20 of the final 28 points, produced 10 winners to Fonseca’s 6, and reduced his unforced errors to 8, compared to 13 from his opponent.

Third Set

As Fearnley took control from the baseline, Fonseca struggled to respond, often making costly mistakes when attempting to put pressure on the in-form Brit. The nightmare for Fonseca began when he dropped serve, giving Fearnley a 3-1 lead.

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However, the teenager stepped up when it mattered most. He converted two of three break points and, just like Fearnley in the second set, went on a five-game winning streak to complete his comeback. After two hours, Fonseca closed out the victory 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

In the second round, he will face 13th seed Jack Draper, who received a first-round bye. The match, set for Saturday, March 8, is expected to be one of the highlights of the round.

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