Joao Fonseca has beaten British hope Jacob Fearnley in the Wimbledon first round, winning 6-4 6-1 7-6.
Carlos Alcaraz predicted big things for Fonseca, and he has lived up to those expectations so far at Wimbledon.
The 18-year-old produced a comprehensive display against Fearnley, who is viewed as the most promising British talent on the ATP Tour behind Jack Draper.
Following his victory, BBC commentators John Lloyd and Andrew Castle discussed Fonseca’s future.
John Lloyd says Joao Fonseca will be a top 10 ATP player ‘without question’
Speaking after the BBC’s Monday afternoon Wimbledon coverage, former Davis Cup captain John Lloyd offered his take on Fonseca’s future prospects in the game.
Andrew Castle, Lloyd’s co-commentator, asked: “Where do you see him (Fonseca) going, briefly John, how high?”
Lloyd replied: “In general, I think he’s going to be top 10 without question.”
Castle then went a step further, asking if the Brazilian is a future Grand Slam winner.
Lloyd, who captained the British Davis Cup team from 2006 to 2010, responded: “Possible, got a ways to go. There’s a long way to go for that but I think he can certainly be top 10.”
Castle added: “You think about future opponents of Alcaraz, Jack Draper and others – here’s one of them.”
Fonseca, who won his fourth Grand Slam match in total, will face either Jenson Brooksby or Talon Griekspoor in the second round. Brooksby has shown strong recent form on the grass, reaching the Eastbourne Open final.
Griekspoor has demonstrated even better form on the green surface, winning the Mallorca Open in June.
Jacob Fearnley serves 10 double faults in loss to Joao Fonseca at Wimbledon
It was a day to forget for Jacob Fearnley, especially when considering his poor double-fault record.
Despite winning 81 per cent of his second serve points, the British number two struck 10 double faults across the contest. In contrast, Fonseca hit four double faults in total.
Fearnley’s misery was further compounded, as Fonseca far outshone the Brit in the ace department – the Brazilian striking 11 aces to Fearnley’s four.
Fearnley also struggled on break points, failing to convert any of his four opportunities throughout the contest. Fonseca won three of his 11 break-point opportunities.
