The tennis world has a new rising star, and his name is Joao Fonseca! The 18-year-old Brazilian has been on fire in 2025, and his breakout run continues at the ATP 250 Buenos Aires, where he has stormed into his first career ATP final.
After saving two match points in the quarterfinals against Mariano Navone, Fonseca delivered a stunning 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 victory over Laslo Djere in the semifinals. The young gun has now etched his name into history, becoming the tenth-youngest ATP finalist since 2000—achieving the milestone before legends like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic!
He also becomes the youngest ATP finalist since Carlos Alcaraz in 2021, and the second-youngest finalist ever at the Buenos Aires Open. Now, he will face home favorite Francisco Cerundolo for the title on Sunday.
Fonseca’s Fight: A Battle of Youth vs. Experience
Facing the experienced Djere, Fonseca proved he’s no ordinary teenager, handling pressure like a seasoned pro. The match saw momentum swings, big forehands, and nerve-wracking moments, but in the end, it was the Brazilian’s fearless aggression that prevailed.
- Total match time: 2 hours, 36 minutes
- Winners-to-unforced errors ratio: 46–31 (Fonseca)
- Big moments: Saved break points, dominated the decider
Set 1: Fonseca’s Fast Start
Fonseca made an early statement, creating four break points in the fifth game, but Djere saved them all. However, the young Brazilian stayed composed, forcing a tiebreak. From there, Fonseca was in full control, using his powerful forehand to dominate and take the set 7-6 (3).
Set 2: Djere’s Comeback
Fonseca snatched a break for a 5-3 lead, seemingly on the verge of victory. But Djere flipped the script, breaking twice in a row and winning four straight games to steal the set 7-5 and force a decider.
Set 3: The Teenager Takes Over
Rather than crumbling under pressure, Fonseca elevated his game in the deciding set. He saved two early break points and then exploded, winning five of the last six games with his signature forehand winners. A final service winner sealed the match at 6-1, sending the teen phenom into his first ATP final!
What’s Next? Can Fonseca Claim His First ATP Title?
The fairy-tale run continues, but one final challenge remains—facing Argentinian star Francisco Cerundolo in Sunday’s championship match.
Can Fonseca complete his dream week and lift his first ATP title at just 18 years old? Tennis fans worldwide won’t want to miss it!