Joao Fonseca breaks double record after reaching Argentina Open final

Posted by author February 16, 2025 Tennis

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Joao Fonseca continues to make stunning strides aged just 18, with the Brazilian now into the Argentina Open final.

Fonseca enjoyed a superb Australian Open run, with the qualifier reaching the main round second draw in Melbourne.

Brazilian star Fonseca has impressed Taylor Fritz, with the former now into his first-ever ATP Tour final in Argentina.

He takes on Argentine Francisco Cerundolo on the outdoor clay courts of Buenos Aires, having already beaten three home players at the event.

Fonseca has defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Federico Coria and Mariano Navone, along with Serbian Laslo Djere.

Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images

Joao Fonseca becomes youngest Brazilian man to reach Open Era final

Cerundolo meanwhile has also been hugely impressive, with his victims this week including top seed Alexander Zverev and Pedro Martinez.

The Argentine fifth seed was also forced to overcome his own brother Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who he beat in the round of 16.

READ MORE: Jon Wertheim wants Australian Open rule change next year after Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien debuts

But it is Fonseca who has been breaking the records, becoming the first man born in 2006 or later to reach an ATP final, and the youngest Brazilian man to reach one in the Open Era, as per Tennis Channel.

FONSECA’S 👏 FIRST 👏 FINAL 👏

18-year-old 🇧🇷 Joao Fonseca has beaten Laslo Djere in Buenos Aires, 7-6 5-7 6-1, to reach the first ATP final of his career. 💥

He’s the FIRST man born in 2006 or later to reach an ATP final and youngest Brazilian man to reach one in the Open Era:

— TENNIS (@Tennis) February 15, 2025

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2023 NextGen ATP champion Hamad Medjedovic impressing alongside Joao Fonseca

Australian Open runner-up Zverev headlined a strong field at the Argentina Open, but he fell at the quarter-final stage to Cerundolo.

Second seed Holger Rune meanwhile suffered a round of 16 exit, with third seed Lorenzo Musetti withdrawing at the quarter-final stage due to injury.

READ MORE: Where Roger Federer, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner finished in the rankings after their debut ATP seasons as Joao Fonseca makes waves

Fonseca rose to 99th in the ATP Tour rankings following his fabulous Australian Open adventure, but now faces a tough task against world number 28 Cerundolo.

He will, however, continue to have no fear on the court, both thanks to his age and indeed his current run of form.

Fonseca won the NextGen ATP Finals title in December, but the victory does not count as a tour-level title as it is not open to all tour-level players.

Another recent winner of the 20-and-under event is also into a final this weekend, with 2023 NextGen champion Hamad Medjedovic also taking on a home favourite, playing Ugo Humbert in Marseille.