Joao Fonseca to play for Next Gen ATP Finals title a day after reconnecting with Rafael Nadal

Joao Fonseca is having quite the week in Jeddah.

The 18-year-old will play for the Next Gen ATP Finals crown after moving to 4-0 on his debut at the 20-and-under event Saturday as the No. 8 seed in the eight-man field.

Flashback Interview: Fonseca is in no rush to skip steps

Facing Luca Van Assche, Fonseca swept past the Frenchman, 4-2, 4-2, 4-1, in the condensed scoring format. He did not face a break point throughout the decisive win, finishing with an overhead winner from the baseline.

“I’m playing (at) a really high level. Just very proud of myself, the way that I’m being with my routine this week. So focused,” he said in an on-court interview afterwards.

Fonseca previously edged out Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik in deciding sets, in between outclassing Learner Tien. And that’s not all.

On Friday, Fonseca enjoyed the unexpected chance to reconnect with Rafael Nadal, 14 years after first meeting the legendary competitor. As a young child, the Rio de Janeiro native crossed paths with Nadal alongside mom Roberta in South Africa prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup final ultimately won by Spain over the Netherlands.

Currently ranked a career-high No. 145, Fonseca will look to complete a perfect run in a rematch with Tien.

The left-handed 19-year-old battled back to deny good friend Alex Michelsen, who like Fonseca went undefeated in the group stage, with a 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0, 4-1 victory. From July, Tien captured three ATP Challenger Tour titles on his way to cracking the Top 125.

Sunday's winner will succeed Serbia's Hamad Medjedovic as the new title holder. Should Fonseca emerge victorious, he'll take home $526,480 by finishing undefeated.