Next Gen ATP Finals final: Joao Fonseca stunning triumph over Learner Tien to secure the title

Joao Fonseca crowned an incredible week by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals title, defeating Learner Tien 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2. The Brazilian was the youngest player in the draw and ranked lowest (No. 145), but managed five consecutive victories, including wins over No. 20 Arthur Fils and No. 48 Jakub Mensik.

The two players had already met in the Roland Garros quarterfinals (won by Tien) and in the 2023 US Open final, where the Brazilian came out victorious. Just three days earlier, Fonseca had again defeated Tien in the Round Robin stage with a dominant 4-0, 4-0, 1-4, 4-2 scoreline.

Fonseca outlasts Tien in thrilling final

In the first set, Tien showed clear intent to fight for the title, even though Fonseca’s exceptional level this week made him the favourite. The American started with an early break in the opening game, having two break point opportunities, and quickly took the lead. With 81% first serve and 85% points won on the first serve, the 18-year-old Brazilian won only four return points, which wasn’t enough to recover the deficit. Tien closed the first set 4-2 after 19 minutes.

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When the second set began, both players struggled with their first serves, and each had break opportunities. However, the set remained close until a tense tiebreak. Both players dropped their first two points on serve, leading to a 2-2 tie. Fonseca took a 6-3 lead but couldn’t close out the set. Tien had a set point, but Fonseca wasted four chances before finally taking the set 4-3(8).

Despite the tightness of the previous set, Tien started the third set unfocused, while Fonseca stepped up his level. He won 11 consecutive points to quickly go 3-0 up with two breaks of serve. The Brazilian won 16 of the 19 points played (84%), enough to take the lead for the first time in the match and set up a fourth set where he would seek to close out the match.

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The 18-year-old star had no doubts in closing out the match. With great serving and consistency displayed throughout the tournament, Fonseca claimed the well-deserved title 2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2. Fonseca becomes the seventh champion of the Next Gen ATP Finals, which have been held since 2017 (with a break in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic). He joins Chung Hyeon, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Brandon Nakashima, and Hamad Medjedovic.