“Hero and inspiration!” Joao Fonseca draws aspirations from Gustavo Kuerten about representing Brazil after reaching Miami Open 3rd round

Joao Fonseca is tipped to become the second player from Brazil to reach the top of the ATP rankings after Gustavo Kuerten.

“Hero and inspiration!” Joao Fonseca draws aspirations from Gustavo Kuerten about representing Brazil after reaching Miami Open 3rd round

Gustavo Kuerten, Joao Fonseca (Image via Gustavo Kuerten's Facebook, X/ATP Tour)

Joao Fonseca is now the youngest man to reach the third round of an ATP Masters 1000 event since Carlos Alcaraz. He took 71 minutes to go past 19th seed Ugo Humbert 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round of the Miami Open.

The 18-year-old has become the talk of the town in recent years and in his country Brazil, he is being compared to tennis great Gustavo Kuerten. After he won the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals and his first ATP title at the Argentina Open this year, the tennis world saw how the Brazilian crowd cheered exuberantly for him.

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No matter where he is, Brazilian fans always flock to the stadium to show their support for this youngster who is being tipped to become the second Brazilian to reach the No.1 rankings after Guga. Following his second-round match, Fonseca made his feelings known about representing his country.

It’s difficult to say this because three years ago, I was the one asking for autographs. And now kids are asking me for autographs saying I’m their hero and inspiration. My inspiration as a kid was Roger [Federer] and Guga. He’s our hero in Brazil. Not only for his tennis but for his charisma. The way he said in interviews that he loved Brazil. I really like representing my country.

Joao Fonseca told Tennis Channel

Joao Fonseca lauds crowd for their support after beating Ugo Humbert

Joao Fonseca‘s match against Ugo Humbert was initially scheduled at Grandstand, but it was shifted to Stadium, upsetting the Brazilian fans. But it took them no time to move to Stadium and cheer loudly for the teenager who expressed his gratitude for their support after the win.

Joao Fonseca (2)
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

When the crowd is with any player, they are more hyped. I started the match today super relaxed, with no nerves. That was good, I served well. I had a quick break, he was maybe a little bit more nervous in the beginning, but I started well and that’s what made the difference.

Joao Fonseca said during his on-court interview

Fonseca is set to lock horns with Alex de Minaur next. The 10th seed received a bye and eliminated Yunchaokete Bu to move into the third round. The Aussie has not yet won a title this year, though he came close to lifting the Rotterdam Open by reaching the final.

De Minaur, however, lost to World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz, who lifted his first indoor hard-court title. The 26-year-old has never clashed against Fonseca before.

Ugo Humbert compares Joao Fonseca to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

While the tennis world is eagerly waiting for Joao Fonseca’s clash with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, they won’t have the opportunity to see them locking horns in this Miami Open. Sinner, the defending champion, is serving his three-month doping ban, while the 2022 Miami Open champion Alcaraz was knocked out of the second round after defeat to David Goffin.

Joao Fonseca (3)
Joao Fonseca (Image via X/Joao Fonseca Updates)

Ugo Humbert has met both Alcaraz and Sinner and is 1-2 against the former and 1-1 versus the World No.1. After his defeat to Fonseca, Humbert reflected on his match and said the teen sensation’s attacking approach reminds him of the two Grand Slam champions.

I’ve rarely played against a guy who played so fast. I had a bit of that feeling when I played Alcaraz in the Davis Cup, and Sinner in Rome. He outpaced me everywhere, he played a great match.

Ugo Humbert told L’Equipe

The win helped Fonseca have a 3-2 win-loss record over top 20 players. Fonseca also tied his head-to-head record with the Frenchman 1-1. Before the Miami Open, they faced each other in the Davis Cup qualifier this year, which the 26-year-old won in straight sets.