Brazilian tennis player João Fonseca, 18, started well in the match on Saturday (26), in the court Manolo Santana, but could not beat American Tommy Paul and was eliminated from the second round of the Masters 1000 of Spain.
Number 12 of the ATP ranking (Association of Professional Tennis Tenns), Tommy Paul won the game by 2 sets to 0, with partials from 6/7 and 6/7. This was the first confrontation between Fonseca and the American, which has four titles in the professional circuit.
The Brazilian tormentor entered the competition directly in the second round and should face weight names following the Spanish tournament, which takes place until May 4.
The first set was well played in Madrid, with both tennis players in a balanced match, decided point to point. João Fonseca got a good chance of break point and opened the Tie-Break with a 2-0 advantage. However, Tommy Paul reacted and drew 7×7, then saw the Brazilian send the ball out and beat the set.
In the second partial, however, the Brazilian showed nervousness and increased the number of errors. With this, the American opened 3-1. With support from coach Guilherme Teixeira, however, Fonseca recovered and turned to 5×4, but Tommy Paul resumed the offensive and drew 6×6, beating the set also in Tie-Break.
Current 65th in the ATP ranking, Fonseca came from a quiet victory in the first round against Danish Elmer Moller, number 114th in the world, by 2 sets to 0, with 6/2 and 6/3 partials.
Sensation of Brazilian tennis, the carioca got his first circuit title in February, when he won the Argentina open in Buenos Aires. In the final, he beat Argentine Francisco Cerudolo, becoming one of the youngest tennis players to win an ATP tournament.
After the Spanish tournament, João Fonseca will make his debut at Roland Garros, one of the four Grand Slams of the year.
Saturday’s games in Madrid were also marked by important eliminations. Brazilian tennis player Beatriz Haddad Maia, world’s number 19, was defeated by Switzerland Belinda Bencic, 42nd in the ranking, unbelievable.
The setback keeps Haddad’s fast this season and marks the third defeat of the Brazilian Front Bencic. Switzerland will face number 4 of the World Coco Gauff world ranking.
In addition to Brazilians, the round also brought the early fall of Novak Djokovic. Number 5 of the world, the Serbi fell to the Italian Matteo Arnaldi, 44th place, by 2 sets to 0, with 6/3 and 6/4 partials. After the third straight loss, Djokovic said his reality in the circuit has changed.
“It’s been 20 years since I’ve been living in the last 12 months. Early defeats, many. It’s part of the sport and you have to accept the circumstances, trying to make the most of them. I can’t stay here complaining about my career,” said the tennis player, holder of 24 Grand Slam titles.
