Joao Fonseca and Learnen Tien lengthen their rivalry past Subsequent Gen ATP Finals

The opening spherical of the Miami Masters will witness a blockbuster duel between two rising youngsters. Joao Fonseca will problem Learnen Tien on Stadium. Each kids have loved a stellar journey within the opening three months of 2025.

The 18-year-old Brazilian wrapped up the 2024 on a excessive be aware, lifting the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals trophy. He began the brand new season with the Canberra Challenger title and certified for the Australian Open in model. 

Not stopping there, Fonseca bested a top-10 star Andrey Rublev within the first spherical, changing into one of many youngest gamers with a top-10 Main win since 1990. Joao carried that increase to clay and conquered the ATP 250 Buenos Aires occasion.

The second Joao Fonseca introduced himself as NEXT 👑

The 🇧🇷 edges previous Tien 2-4 4-3(8) 4-0 4-2 to safe the most important title of his profession 🙌#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/Zc3VNiZGvg

— Subsequent Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 22, 2024

Thus, at 18 years and 5 months, he turned the seventh-youngest champion on the ATP Tour since 1990. The Brazilian secured his first Indian Wells victory earlier than lifting one other trophy at a robust Phoenix Challenger for the top-60 debut. 

Learnen Tien began the season exterior the top-120. The younger American wanted solely a few tournaments to go away many rivals behind and crack the top-70 at 19. Learnen certified for the Australian Open major draw, defeated Daniil Medvedev and reached the fourth spherical. 

Learnen Tien & Joao Fonseca, Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot

 

He turned the youngest participant to attain that since Rafael Nadal in 2005! Tien offered his expertise once more in Acapulco, gorgeous world no. 2 Alexander Zverev and changing into the youngest American with a high-profile triumph since Andy Roddick in the summertime of 2001!

The 19-year-old suffered an early Indian Wells loss and didn’t have the luck within the attract Miami. Going through Fonseca is rarely simple, and we must always see a thriller between two skillful however utterly completely different gamers on the principle court docket. 

Learnen Tien, Acapulco 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Joao and Learnen met two instances ultimately yr’s Subsequent Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah. The Brazilian kicked off their rivalry with a livid 4-0, 4-0, 1-4, 4-2 victory within the round-robin stage. Tien defeated the opposite two rivals and clinched the semi-final victory to rearrange one other duel in opposition to the 18-year-old. 

The American claimed the opener and had an opportunity to forge an enormous two units to like benefit. As an alternative, Fonseca recovered his recreation and earned a 2-4, 4-3, 4-0, 4-2 win, ending the occasion with a 5-0 rating and lifting the trophy at 18! 

Joao Fonseca, Indian Wells 2025© Stream screenshot

 

They wanted an hour and 27 minutes to wrap up 4 decreased units. The eighth seed struggled to reflect the start of their earlier match. He misplaced the opener and confronted a set level within the tie break of the second set. Fonseca denied it and stole the breaker 10-8 for an enormous increase of confidence. 

Joao supplied a bagel within the third set, his third over Learnen that week! The 18-year-old stepped in at 1-2 within the fourth set, rattling off three straight video games to emerge on the high. Who will win their Miami Masters duel? Fonseca ought to be the favourite, however something can occur between the 2 younger upcoming stars.