Joao Fonseca scored his first Indian Wells victory over Jacob Fearnley. An adolescent ousted his rival 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in two hours for his first victory within the desert. Joao trailed 3-1 within the remaining set earlier than rattling off 5 video games to convey the victory residence.
Fearnley praised his younger opponent and his psychological power. Jacob highlighted the best way Fonseca dealt with the strain, which isn’t a straightforward process at his age.
João Fonseca hits a stunning volley towards Fearnley at Indian Wells.
We all know he has the firepower.
He’s acquired the finesse too.
🇧🇷🪶
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 6, 2025
The Brazilian collected eight factors extra due to that remaining streak. He saved six of 9 break factors and grabbed 44% of the return factors, changing them into 4 breaks.
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. Fearnley performed extra aggressive tennis, they usually each hit extra errors than winners.
Jacob Fearnley, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
They stayed neck and neck within the shortest rallies as much as 4 strokes, whereas Joao constructed a slight lead within the mid-range and most superior rallies. The younger gun clinched a break within the first recreation of the match and served properly for 4-2.
Fearnley skilled one other break in recreation seven, falling 5-2 behind. An adolescent fired a forehand winner in recreation eight, wrapping up the opener 6-2 in 32 minutes. Jacob raised his degree within the second set and left his rival behind.
Fonseca saved break factors within the second recreation earlier than spraying a forehand error two video games later and falling 3-1 behind. The Briton secured one other break at 4-1 and held at 30 in recreation seven, wrapping up the set 6-1 and introducing a decider after 67 minutes.
Joao Fonseca, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Joao performed one other unfastened service recreation at 1-1, shedding serve after the rival’s volley assault and falling behind. Jacob wasted 5 recreation factors within the fourth recreation and confronted a break level after the younger gun’s smash winner.
Fearnley saved it with a service winner and introduced the sport residence with one other, transferring 3-1 in entrance and nearer to the end line. The Briton had two recreation factors that would have despatched him 4-2 up. Nevertheless, he squandered them and hit a double fault on a break level.
Jacob Fearnley, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
Thus, Fonseca locked the consequence at 3-3 and gained a lift. The Brazilian moved 4-3 up with an ace and made one other push on the return within the subsequent one. Jacob squandered his alternatives and performed a wayward forehand to drop serve and fall 5-3 behind.
Joao served for the win in recreation 9 and hit a volley winner on a match level, celebrating his second Masters 1000 victory.
Joao Fonseca, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot
“What surprises me the most is Joao’s mental strength at such a young age. There is a lot of expectation around him, but many players his age would be bothered, or it would go to their heads.
That’s not the case with Joao, who keeps a high mental focus throughout the duel. He handles the pressure extremely well, which is difficult to achieve,” Jacob Fearnley mentioned.
