Joao Fonseca won his first-round match at the Eastbourne Open, beating Zizou Bergs 6-7 6-0 6-3.
The prodigious talent, who has been tipped to become the next men’s superstar, lost a tight opening set before rattling off nine straight games against his Belgian opponent.
The 18-year-old world number 57, who won his first grand slam match against Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open this year, will be looking to continue this form throughout the week and into Wimbledon.
After his victory against Bergs, Fonseca was asked about a particular milestone he had achieved.
Joao Fonseca wins first ATP Tour match on grass
Speaking to Tennis TV after the victory, Fonseca expressed his delight at winning his first ATP Tour match on grass.
The 18-year-old said: “Well, very happy to win my first time, my first match on grass on the ATP tour here in Eastbourne, such a nice place and yeah, against a very good player after a tough tiebreak and then getting through, mentally very good. So I’m very, very happy for this one.
“But yeah, in the second set after I broke him in the 2-0, the second game on the second set, things got a little bit more easier. He was getting [in] trouble, and I was feeling more confident.
“And the third set, I mean, this started we both were nervous, so I needed to stay with my serve. I got a break, and then after it was an easy ball to do it, but I mean, here on the grass, you need to focus and all your points, so I’m very happy with this win.”
The Brazilian starlet served extremely well, making 79 per cent of his first serves and winning 82 per cent of his second serve points on his way to victory.
Joao Fonseca to face Taylor Fritz in next round of Eastbourne Open
Fonseca’s hard-fought victory sets up a jaw-dropping clash against world number five and US Open finalist Taylor Fritz.
The American, who has a history of positive grass court results, has displayed mixed form since the French Open. Fritz would break a 25-year American drought in the men’s singles if he won Wimbledon in July.
Despite winning the Boss Open, Fritz then lost in the round of 32 at the Queen’s Club Championships to Corentin Moutet.
Speaking to Tennis TV on court after his first-round victory, Fonseca was asked if playing Fritz is the kind of challenge he wants.
Fonseca said: “For sure it is, for sure it is, even on grass he already won a tournament on grass this year so yeah feeling good, a good experience and hopefully the crowd is gonna be good.
“I can see some Brazilian shirts so that’s super nice and thank you very much for coming today.”
