Number five in the world, Briton Jack Draper says he is prepared for the screams of “Joããão Fonseeeeca” in the match between the two on Saturday (31), for the third round of Roland Garros. They still resonate in the British ears, due to a curious incident at the Miami tournament in March.
João Fonseca is currently the 65th in the ATP ranking.
In the American tournament, Draper was playing against Czech Jakub Mensik, on the same block where Fonseca would play later. The stands were crowded with Brazilian fans, who began to boo a lot when it was announced that Fonseca’s game would be transferred to another block.
“I didn’t know what was going on. But I think Miami Open missed it, because they [os brasileiros] They waited all day to watch it. I was thinking they were there to see me, “he joked, imitating the screams of Brazilians.
For Draper, this Saturday’s confrontation, around 2 pm local (9am from Brasília) on Simonne-Mathieu (third largest of Roland Garros, with a capacity of 5,000 people) will be quite different from the previous one. In March, the Briton won with some ease, 6/4 and 6/0, at the Indian Wells tournament, USA.
“I played well that day. In the first set, I had to endure the storm. Then it became very physical. But I imagine he already knows my game now.”
Draper was only compliments to Fonseca after defeating French Gaël Monfils for the second round on Thursday night (29). “Let’s see him a lot in the final part of the keys and the top of the game. We have already seen his potential, and the way he plays. Very powerful, dynamic and explosive. This led so many people to watch it. And obviously he brings a big fan base from Brazil, I think this is great for the sport too. I’m looking forward to the challenge of facing it.”
