“Tennis isn’t broken after all,” Andy Murray praises Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien’s talent following their first-round matchup in Miami

18-year-old Joao Fonseca defeated Learner Tien 7-6(1), 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the ATP 1000 Masters Miami Open.

“Tennis isn’t broken after all,” Andy Murray praises Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien’s talent following their first-round matchup in Miami

Learner Tien, Joao Fonseca, and Andy Murray (via X/ATP/The Scottish Sun)

Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien face each other in the first round of the Miami Open. The two youngsters met each other for the third time in the space of four months in the ATP Tour. The matchup lived up to expectations as both players pushed for the win. Andy Murray, who was watching the tie took to social media to reveal his joy of seeing two amazing talents.

Fonseca and Tien have established themselves as one of the best upcoming talents in the men’s circuit. The two stars first made their mark at the Australian Open. Fonseca defeated Top 10 star Andrey Rublev in the first round of the Australian Open, while Tien stunned Daniil Medvedev in the second round.

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Both stars also faced each other in the final of the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, with Fonseca winning the tie. They faced each other in the first round of the Miami Open on Thursday (March 20). Tien claimed a tight first round 7-(1)6 before Fonseca then overturned the tie in the second and third set.

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The thrilling encounter ended with Fonseca winning the tie 6(1)-7, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 23 minutes. After the match, Andy Murray took to X to claim that both players are an amazing talent to the men’s circuit.

What an incredible atmosphere. Fonseca and Tien are amazing talents! Tennis isn’t broken after all.

Andy Murray wrote via X

Murray is at the Miami Open with Novak Djokovic as his coach. The British star won the tournament twice in his career. He is aiming to help Djokovic win the title for the seventh time in his career.

Joao Fonseca says he had to fight until the end following his first round win in Miami

Joao Fonseca showcased a contrasting style and battled through in a dramatic momentum of swings against Learner Tien at the Miami Open. The 18-year-old got the crowd going in the match as the fans proudly waved their Brazilian flags and changed his name for the most part of the match. He revealed during his on-court interview, that he had to fight until the end.

Joao Fonseca (via X)
Joao Fonseca (via X)

I knew it was going to be a difficult match. I knew Learner was going to fight until the end, he’s a great fighter. He knows how to play, he’s very smart. So I needed to go until the end, and I just went to it hard, and the Brazilian crowd was with me today. I always try to be aggressive with my forehand. When I was younger, I went to my forehand when the important points came and it’d go directly to the fence.

Joao Fonseca said via ATP

Fonseca already has three titles to his name this season. He won his first at the Challenger in Canberra before securing his biggest ATP title at the Argentina Open. He recently claimed the third at the Challenger in Phoenix.

Joao Fonseca to face Ugo Humbert in the second round in Miami

Joao Fonseca will face Ugo Humbert in the second round of the Miami Open. The Brazilian teenager is making his debut at the tournament and secured his first win. He will now face the Frenchman for a place in the third round. Both players have faced each other once in their careers, with Humbert winning the tie.

Joao Fonseca
Joao Fonseca (via Instagram)

They met at the 2025 Davis Cup qualifier in Brazil earlier this year. The Frenchman earned a 7-5, 6-3 against the Brazilian. Humbert has more experience than the 18-year-old and last month won his seventh tour-level title in Marseille. The winner of the match will face either Alex de Minaur or Yunchaokete Bu in the third round.