Teen Fonseca annihilates 30th seed Hurkacz in straight sets | Highlights

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PARIS, France—Armed with a legion of passionate, yellow-and-green clad fans, Joao Fonseca made an electrifying main draw debut at Roland Garros on Tuesday evening.

The 18-year-old from Brazil has been taking the tennis world by storm since he announced his arrival with an Australian Open stunner against No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev. It was his first Top 10 win, in his first ever Grand Slam main draw match.

WATCH: Teen Fonseca annihilates 30th seed Hurkacz in straight sets | Highlights

On the terre battue in Paris, Fonseca once again proved that he lives up to the hype. It was a standing-room only affair on a packed Court 7—with a queue that wrapped around part of Court Philippe-Chatrier—to watch Fonseca face No. 30 seed Hubert Hurkacz.

Fonseca took on No. 30 seed Hubert Hurkacz in his first Roland Garros main draw match on Tuesday.

Fonseca took on No. 30 seed Hubert Hurkacz in his first Roland Garros main draw match on Tuesday.

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Those who couldn’t get in started getting creative: Rows and rows of fans took to the balconies of Chartier and Court Suzanne-Lenglen, leaning over barriers to try and catch a glimpse of Brazil's new national tennis hero.

Getting Fonseca and Hurkacz to Court 7 was a logistical challenge all its own.

Getting Fonseca and Hurkacz to Court 7 was a logistical challenge all its own.

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Fonseca is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten—Brazil’s beloved three-time Roland Garros winner, who lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 1997, 2000 and 2001.

The stands were packed long before Fonseca and Hurkacz took the court, with some fans staking out a spot hours in advance.

The stands were packed long before Fonseca and Hurkacz took the court, with some fans staking out a spot hours in advance. 

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“I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris," Fonseca said in his post-match press conference. "A lot of Brazilians live here and they come (to the tennis) a lot. I think because of Guga, because of the tradition...

“I knew when I was walking to the court, and I saw even the line was just huge to go to enter the court, and (there were) people on Philippe Chatrier, Suzanne Lenglen watching.”

Hurkacz, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Geneva final on Saturday, was sporting a compression sleeve on his right knee.

Hurkacz, who lost to Novak Djokovic in the Geneva final on Saturday, was sporting a compression sleeve on his right knee.

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“I mean, he’s (got) a very powerful game,” Hurkacz told press afterward. “He’s definitely an all-around player and can develop a lot. It’s difficult to play against him.”

A bird's eye view of Court 7, packed to its 1,500-spectator capacity on a chilly Tuesday evening in Paris.

A bird's eye view of Court 7, packed to its 1,500-spectator capacity on a chilly Tuesday evening in Paris.

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The 2023 US Open junior champion—who captured his first ATP Tour-level title in Buenos Aires—made short work of big-serving Hurkacz, breaking his serve twice in the first set and five times overall.

Though the Pole narrowed the gap in the second, he couldn't hold back Fonseca as the 18-year-old charged to his first Roland Garros victory in an hour and 42 minutes, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2.

The Brazilian struck 36 winners and just 15 unforced errors on his way to a straight-sets win over the former world No. 6.

The Brazilian struck 36 winners and just 15 unforced errors on his way to a straight-sets win over the former world No. 6.

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The performance also settled doubts after a relatively quiet clay-court season for Fonseca.

The Brazilian exploded onto the scene with a victory at the 2024 season-ending Next Gen ATP Finals and kept the momentum going with a his upset of Rublev at the Australian Open win. Fonseca continued with victories in Buenos Aires and the Phoenix Challenger, as well as a run to the Miami Open third round—but cooled off on the European clay. He claimed just one match win across Madrid, Estoril (Challenger) and Rome.

With the victory, Fonseca became the youngest Roland Garros match winner since 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2021.

With the victory, Fonseca became the youngest Roland Garros match winner since 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2021.

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"I mean, the expectations are going to come. People are going to talk," Fonseca said. "Compare with other people, other players...

"I'm managing to do very well, but sometimes the pressure is going to come. It's normal. You need to deal with it. Me, I'm young, and I'm, like, getting the experience of everything now."

"Right now I'm feeling very comfortable. I'm feeling very happy on court. Happy and playing good," Fonseca said.

"Right now I'm feeling very comfortable. I'm feeling very happy on court. Happy and playing good," Fonseca said.

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He will face an even bigger challenge in the second round, against France's Pierre-Hugues Herbert—who will likely have his own vocal contingent of fans rallying behind him as the home favorite.

Read More: Novak Djokovic suddenly looks Slam-ready | Roland Garros Wrap, Day 3

The 18-year-old delighted fans with his victories, and by taking many, many selfies afterward.

The 18-year-old delighted fans with his victories, and by taking many, many selfies afterward.