ATP Indian Wells: Joao Fonseca makes profitable debut

18-year-old Joao Fonseca is off to a profitable begin on the first Masters 1000 occasion of the season. The younger Brazilian debuted in Indian Wells in opposition to Jacob Fearnley on Stadium 1 and earned a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 triumph in two hours. 

Fonseca misplaced the bottom within the second set and trailed 3-1 within the decider earlier than rattling off 5 video games and incomes his second Masters 1000 victory. A youngster claimed eight factors greater than his opponent, who fought effectively till the second a part of the ultimate set.

Each gamers served below 60%, and Joao struggled behind the second serve. He denied six of 9 break factors and turned 44% of the return factors into 4 breaks from seven alternatives. 

The second Fonseca received his first-ever match in Indian Wells 🔥#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/TLxmWMhORD

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 6, 2025

Fearnley set the tone along with his forehand. The Briton fired 29 winners and sprayed 45 unforced errors. Fonseca delivered extra lowered 17-34 ratio and should elevate his degree within the second spherical in opposition to the British no. 1, Jack Draper. 

Joao made a dependable begin and broke at 15 within the first recreation of the encounter. He served effectively within the opening three video games, firing a forehand winner in recreation six for a maintain at love. Jacob missed a recreation level in recreation seven and misplaced serve for the second time to fall 5-2 behind. 

Joao Fonseca, Indian Wells 2025 © Stream screenshot

 

The younger gun served for the opener in recreation eight and closed it with a forehand winner for 6-2 in 32 minutes. Fearnley took cost within the second set and outplayed his rival on serve and return. Fonseca denied break factors within the second recreation and held after quite a few deuces. 

Nevertheless, his preliminary shot didn’t work. The Brazilian missed a routine forehand within the fourth recreation, experiencing a break and falling 3-1 behind. Jacob held at love in recreation 5 to increase the hole and made one other push on the return within the subsequent one. 

Joao Fonseca, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The Briton drew the rival’s mistake and delivered his second break, transferring 5-1 up and serving for the set. The previous faculty star held at 30, wrapping up the set 6-1 and forcing a decider after an hour and 7 minutes. 

Joao struggled on serve once more at 1-1. He missed recreation factors and skilled a break after Fearnley’s effective volley assault. Fonseca denied the opponent’s 5 recreation factors in recreation 4 and generated a break likelihood with a smash winner. 

The Briton denied it with a service winner and landed one other for 3-1. Jacob wasted two recreation factors at 3-2, which marked the start of his downfall! He hit a expensive double fault on a break level, permitting the younger gun to erase the deficit and lock the consequence at 3-3. 

Joao Fonseca, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Fonseca closed the seventh recreation with an ace down the T line and took the pivotal factors on the return within the subsequent one. Jacob missed his alternatives and suffered the second straight break after a careless forehand. Thus, Joao moved 5-3 up and served for the win. 

The Brazilian landed a backhand volley winner on a match level, sealing the deal and transferring into the second spherical.