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Joao Fonseca once again fell short against Jack Draper, this time at Roland Garros. The Brazilian was handed a straight-sets defeat in a match that echoed their previous clash at Indian Wells. Draper’s commanding performance left little room for Fonseca to find his rhythm.
Although his campaign in Paris ended sooner than hoped, Fonseca leaves with his head held high. Reaching the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time marks an important step in his career. He also spoke openly about his goals for the rest of the season. Fonseca said in his Roland Garros post-match press conference:
A goal? I wanna play the big tournaments. I mean, now with my ranking I can play. But I wanna play like the main draw of the 500s, all of them. Maybe top 40 or something like that. The goal for me at the end of the year maybe is to be a seeded player in Australia. It’s my personal goal.
This experience will be valuable as Fonseca continues to develop. Each match at this level adds to his maturity and readiness for future challenges. His journey in Paris has given him renewed confidence and motivation.
João Fonseca says he wants to get his ranking high enough to play all the 500 events and be seeded in Australia next year, ‘He’s a great player. I know I didn’t play my best. Now we need to move on and think about the next weeks. Grass season is coming. It’s just the beginning’… pic.twitter.com/rUgWXAXAWe
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 31, 2025
With the grass-court season approaching, Fonseca will face new tests. But based on his performances in Melbourne and Paris, he has shown he can pose a serious challenge to seeded players in early rounds.
Joao Fonseca breaks huge Rafael Nadal record at Roland Garros
Brazilian rising star Joao Fonseca continues to make headlines as he reaches another major milestone in his young career. The 18-year-old Brazilian has impressed at Roland Garros, where he advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. His performance is already drawing praise from top coaches who believe he is on the path to Grand Slam success.
Fonseca defeated Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets, 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-4. The win came in front of a home crowd cheering for Herbert, making the achievement even more notable. Fonseca showed composure and maturity beyond his years throughout the match.
At 18 years and 277 days old, Fonseca became the youngest player since 2000 to reach the third round in Paris with back-to-back straight-set victories. He surpassed Rafael Nadal’s mark, who was 18 years and 354 days old when he did the same in 2005 during his first title run at Roland Garros.
This breakthrough performance is set to boost Fonseca’s ATP ranking. He is projected to rise 11 spots, reaching a new career high of No. 53. His rapid rise is fueling expectations that he will soon be a serious contender at the sport’s biggest events.
Jack Draper dumps Joao Fonseca out of Roland Garros
Jack Draper delivered a dominant performance at the French Open, overwhelming Brazil’s Joao Fonseca in straight sets. The 23-year-old Brit wasted no time making his mark, dismissing the teenage talent with ease. Draper’s powerful showing sent a strong message to his rivals at the tournament.
Fonseca, considered one of the sport’s rising stars, struggled to match Draper’s pace and precision. Despite the hype around the 18-year-old, he was outplayed in every aspect of the match. Draper controlled the tempo, using smart drop shots and clean groundstrokes to dismantle his opponent.
From the very first game, Draper looked in full command. His focus never wavered, and he maintained control throughout the 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win. With this result, the British No. 1 moves into the next round, where he will face either Alexander Bublik or Henrique Rocha.
In a tournament full of tight contests, Draper’s win was especially convincing. His mix of strategy, power, and mental strength was on full display. As the event progresses, Draper is fast becoming a player to watch in the men’s draw.
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