Joao Fonseca adjusts to heavier conditions in Bucharest for second ATP quarterfinal of 2024

In February, a week after enjoying a breakout run to the quarterfinals on home soil of the Rio Open, Joao Fonseca turned pro in favor of attending the University of Virginia.

Less than two months later, the 17-year-old is back into the last eight of an ATP clay-court event after making the most of his wild card opportunity in Bucharest. On Thursday, Fonseca eased past Radu Albot, 7-6 (2), 6-2, in one hour and 37 minutes.

“Today was a great fight. I knew the court will be heavy because of the rain. Yesterday we started with one game (due to rain) and he started breaking me,” Fonseca said in an on-court interview.

The Brazilian initially trailed 0-2, before finding his footing against the qualifier. Having battled to win the opening tiebreak, Fonseca kept the momentum on his side with an immediate break. He made significantly more first serves in the second set (81 versus 60 percent) to keep the pressure off, finishing with an inside-in forehand winner to lock up the victory.

“I knew he was an experienced guy. He's double my age, so I needed to fight to the end and I'm very happy with this win,” reflected Fonseca.

With the victory, the world No. 276 is projected to crack the Top 250 of the rankings for the first time. Fonseca will aim to reach his maiden tour-level semifinal against fourth seed Alejandro Tabilo. The Chilean beat Arthur Rinderknech, 6-3, 6-4.

Elsewhere, two seeds were sent packing. Marton Fucsovics knocked out second-seeded Tallon Griekspoor, 7-5, 6-1. The Hungarian next meets Corentin Moutet, who overcame seventh-seeded Nuno Borges, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-2.

With inclement weather still impacting play, the likes of No. 1 seed Francisco Cerundolo and American Sebastian Korda will be required to pull double duty Friday in order to book final-four spots.