In an exhilarating match at the Miami Masters, Brazilian tennis sensation Joao Fonseca has triumphed over French player Ugo Humbert, advancing to the last 32. At just 18 years old, Fonseca exhibited skill and mastery beyond his years, avenging his previous defeat at the Davis Cup with a near-perfect performance. The match ended with Fonseca defeating Humbert 6-4, 6-3 in just over an hour.
Fonseca showcased a formidable performance on the ATP level, one that could be counted among his best. Demonstrating exceptional control, he lost merely four points during his service games, amplifying the tension for his opponent. Humbert, on the other hand, grappled with his second serve, losing 40% of the points off his opening shot.
Humbert, beleaguered by Fonseca’s aggressive play, faced five break points and conceded his serve three times. This allowed Fonseca to surge into the third round of the tournament, a significant achievement for the teenager.
Fonseca’s victory was celebrated enthusiastically by his fellow Brazilians in the crowd. He successfully scored 21 more points than Humbert, hitting 16 winners with just 11 unforced errors. Humbert’s performance was marred by 22 errors, predominantly from his forehand, while Fonseca led 17-14 in service winners.
Fonseca’s baseline game was equally impressive, maintaining a solid 35-19 lead with powerful strokes from both wings. He started the match on a high note, seizing a break at love with a volley winner in the very first game. This early momentum was sustained as Fonseca held his serve in the second game for a 3-1 lead.
Despite an initial setback, Humbert managed to regain some ground, closing the seventh game with an unreturned serve. However, Fonseca remained unflappable, holding his serve in the eighth game to lead 5-3. He then served for the opener at 5-4.
Fonseca, making his Miami Open debut, capitalized on Humbert’s loose forehand to secure set points. Converting the first with a powerful serve, Fonseca took the opening set 6-4 in just 33 minutes. His confidence bolstered, Fonseca proceeded to lose only one point in his games in the second set, thereby increasing the pressure on Humbert.
Humbert initially responded well, holding serve in the third game for a 2-1 lead. However, Fonseca retaliated with a forehand winner in the fourth game and exerted pressure on the return in the following game, in which he clocked a 180 km/h forehand winner to level the score at 30-30.
Seizing the opportunity, Fonseca broke Humbert’s serve with a forehand down the line winner, putting him a set and a break ahead. With a love game in the sixth and another in the eighth, Fonseca steadily inched towards victory.
As Humbert served to stay in the match at 3-5, he faltered under the strain. Fonseca seized this chance, scoring another forehand winner and securing three match points. On his third match point, Fonseca delivered a deep return that prompted an error from Humbert, thereby advancing Fonseca to the third round of the Miami Open.
