(Video) Joao Fonseca Smashes Stunning Tweener During Argentina Open Match Against Alejandro Tabilo

Alejandro Tabilo took a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Brazilian ace Joao Fonseca.

(Video) Joao Fonseca Smashes Stunning Tweener During Argentina Open Match Against Alejandro Tabilo

Joao Fonseca hits a tweener against Alejandro Tabilo (Image via X/Everything Joao Fonseca, Tennis TV, Sugestoes do Abra)

In Short
  • Joao Fonseca lost to Alejandro Tabilo in the opening round of the Argentina Open with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 5-7.
  • During the match, Fonseca executed an impressive tweener shot, showcasing his skills despite the defeat.
  • Fonseca has struggled this season, failing to win a match and dealing with injuries that led to withdrawals from previous tournaments.

Joao Fonseca was bidding to defend her title at the Argentina Open, but unfortunately for the youngsters, he crashed out in the opening round. On Thursday (February 12), the Brazilian ace suffered a 3-6, 6-3, 5-7 defeat at the hands of Alejandro Tabilo.

But at one point during the match, Fonseca hit an incredible tweener. In a rally on the Brazilian ace’s serve, they first played from behind the baseline, but Tabilo made Fonseca come forward toward the net.

Although Fonseca was successful in returning the shot, Tabilo, who had already sprinted forward, hit a volley and made Fonseca run back toward the baseline, and it was then that the 19-year-old hit the tweener.

Watch the video here:

It was the first time Fonseca met Tabilo. Prior to knocking out Fonseca, Tabilo eliminated Facundo Diaz Acosta. He’s now scheduled a quarterfinal clash with home favorite Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who battled past fellow Argentine Roman Andres Burruchaga in three sets.

Last year in the ATP 250 tournament in Buenos Aires, Fonseca beat Francisco Cerundolo to win his career’s first ATP title. The 2024 Next-Gen ATP Finals champion then beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the final of the Swiss Indoors to win his career’s first ATP 500 title.

Fonseca did not have a great start to the season as he has yet to win a match. Due to a back issue, he was forced to withdraw from his opening-round match against Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International. He also pulled out of the Adelaide International.

Fonseca, later at the Australian Open, suffered a four-set defeat at the hands of Eliot Spizzirri, who, in the third round, took the first set off two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner.

Joao Fonseca on his comparison with Carlos Alcaraz

Joao Fonseca is tipped by many to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to make another formidable Big 3. Many have also compared him with the seven-time Grand Slam champion, but Fonseca has again made it clear that he doesn’t want to be the next someone but the first Joao Fonseca.

Carlos Alcaraz (2)
Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

They say ‘Joao is going to be the next Guga [Gustavo Kuerten], the next Alcaraz’, I’m writing my own story and doing everything at my own pace. What I can do on my part is work really hard on my mentality and my physique.

Joao Fonseca said at the press conference

Alcaraz, who made his fourth consecutive Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, became the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. Also, he reached the title clash of the Melbourne Major for the first time; previously, he had lost twice in the quarterfinals. Alcaraz is also the youngest man in the Open Era to win seven Grand Slam titles.

Working a lot technically on the serve and return, which is very important in this return. The serve is essential for any surface. Physically, we have to improve. The good thing is that we have to improve many things.

Joao Fonseca added

Fonseca has never met Alcaraz in an official match. They, however, locked horns with each other in a Miami exhibition last year.

Alcaraz, in the final of the Australian Open, defeated the tournament’s most successful player, Novak Djokovic, in four sets, and it helped him improve his head-to-head record over the 24-time Grand Slam champion to 5-5. Next, the 22-year-old will be playing at the Qatar Open, where last year, he lost to Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals.

The ATP 500 Qatar Open is scheduled to start on February 16. Last year, Alcaraz reached 11 finals and lifted eight titles, including the French Open and the US Open.

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