Fonseca concludes Paul 6-2, 6-3 to reach the Indian Wells round 16
They played once before and it was a close game; last spring in Madrid on clay, Tommy Paul prevailed in two tiebreak sets. A coveted spot in the round of sixteen was on the line in their first meeting on the tough court.
In the first Masters of the season 1000 event in ATP Tour, Paul from US, 23The third seed, reached the penultimate round in the desert two years ago, but lost to Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round last season.
João Fonseca, the 2024 The future general ATP The finals champion just missed landing a current ranking of #35. The nineteen-year-old from Brazil had an excellent season last year, winning two titles – one 500-the level in the inner fort and a 250 on clay, peaking with a career-high rank of #24.
Saving two match points in the previous round against former world #8 Teenage phenom Karen Khachanov welcomed the challenge of playing another former top ten player and an American on home soil.
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Fonseca won the toss, elected to serve and held 30 with one 137mph serve wide while Paul lost 4/8 first serve, gave away three unforced errors and the serve was thrown. The Brazilian hit another 137 mph serve this time in the middle and easily held 15 to consolidate the break.
Paul soon found himself 0-40 down, but with two outstanding winners and a good serve, he held for 1-3. Fonseca gave up two unforced errors, but held on 30 with his first ace. Paul opened the sixth with a service winner and volley, but faced a break point when serving a forehand. After three deuces and two aces in the middle, a native held for 2-4.
Fonseca did 5/6 first serves and is held for him 30 ABOUT 5-2. Paul, who was serving to stay in the group with young balls, opened with a spectacular volley down the line, but with his first double fault and three ground faults, he conceded it.
Fonseca left the court for a medical timeout after the opening set. He served first in the second and although he led 40-0broke serve after two back-to-back errors and a winning volley from Paul.
The American opened with a service winner and volley, and despite giving away another double fault, consolidated the break with another volley winner. Fonseca opened the third with a wonderful forehand up the middle and, with a monster serve out wide, got on the board.
Paul did 5/5 first serve but was broken after two consecutive forehand errors. Fonseca hit two straight winners, including his second ace, and consolidated the break with a love hold.
Paul opened the sixth with a tremendous inside forehand winner and held on 3-3 with a volley of cross-winning volleys. Fonseca showed off his net skills with a winning volley on the crossbar and held on for it 30 ABOUT 4-3.
Paul did 6/6 first serve, but it was all for naught as he dropped serve after two extra ground faults. Fonseca served for the match with new balls and held to love to reach the fourth round.
Fonseca’s full arsenal was on display during this third round match. He competed with incredible power and poise, finishing with twenty winners and twelve unforced errors. He won a surprising victory 73First % and 65% of second serve points. He was just as effective when he returned, winning 41First % and 68% of second serve return points.
The only teenager in charge-100 will play the old world #1 and current #2Jannik Sinner, for a coveted spot in the final eight. This will be their first tournament-level meeting. This fourth round match is sure to provide a Davis Cup-like atmosphere with the passionate Brazilian contingent and dedicated Sinner’s Carota Boys in attendance.
