João Fonseca was defeated in his first match after good performance at the Australia Open. The Brazilian, number 99 of the world ranking and considered the greatest sensation of tennis today, lost to the Frenchman Ugo Humbert (15th on the list), 7/5 and 6/3.
The game opened the confrontation between Brazil and France for the first round of the Davis Cup. The second match, between Arthur Fils (19th of the ranking) and Thiago Wild (76th), was scheduled to start soon after. Three more games will take place on Sunday (2).
The match aroused great interest in the tennis world, being the first of Fonseca after the impressive performance in Melbourne, two weeks ago. Fonseca debuted defeating in just three sets the number nine of the world, Russian Andrei Rublev. It was eliminated in the second round by Italian Lorenzo Sonego, 3-2.
The hosts chose as a stage of the confrontation the stewy Palais des Sports of Orléans, where the 3,000 fans are very close to the players and the quick court supposedly favors the style of the French.
Despite the difference in ranking between the two, which would make Humbert’s great favoritism, the French were prevented in relation to Fonseca.
In a very balanced first set, the Frenchman won 7/5, breaking the Brazilian service only once, in the last game. Appearing nervousness, Fonseca had difficulty closing the first service game, in which she saved two break points. After that, he imposed his aggressive game. When he had a 6/5 advantage, Humbert risked more balls near the lines and got the best, closing the set.
In the interval between the first and second set, Humbert complained of glute pain and even left the court for five minutes.
In the fourth game of the second set, Fonseca lost the first three points. He saved two break points, but Humbert broke the Brazilian service with a Winner (winning ball) in the withdrawal of withdrawal. The break increased the trust of the Frenchman, who closed “zero” the next game.
“He is superior, but I love to play in a covered court, and my withdrawal return was very good today,” Humbert said after the game.
