On a day short of star quality, it was left to Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca to light up the Australian Open.
On his eagerly awaited grand slam debut, Fonseca proved too strong for struggling ninth seed Andrey Rublev, securing a place in the second round with a 7-6 (7/1) 6-3 7-6 (7/5) victory on Margaret Court Arena.
Rublev has been in poor form and Fonseca was good enough to take advantage with his groundstrokes, on the forehand side in particular, handing him the initiative in the rallies.
The Russian hinted at a comeback in the third set but Fonseca overcame a break of serve to clinch the match with another pounding forehand down the line.
A ⭐️ is born.
Brazil have a new Fenômeno and his name is Joao Fonseca!
The 18-year-old qualifier beats No.9 seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5)@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/lBYZunZEcq
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 14, 2025
📰 Table Of Contents
Fritz makes swift progress
Fourth seed Taylor Fritz made short work of fellow American Jenson Brooksby, losing just five games inside two hours, but both Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune were taken all the way.
Medvedev, the beaten finalist in Melbourne in three of the last four years, had to come from behind to see off Thai wild card Kasidit Samrej 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.
The Russian was expected to cruise against the world number 418, making his first appearance at an ATP event, and his frustration was evident when he smashed a net camera with his racket in the third set.
Rune, the 13th seed, also required five sets to see off Zhizhen Zhang 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 6-4.
Alex De Minaur, the eighth-seeded home hope, was more efficient in beating Botic van de Zandschulp in straight sets while there were also wins for Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz and Gael Monfils.
No issues for Paolini and Rybakina
A couple of dangerous players on the women’s side also progressed today.
Fourth seed Jasmine Paolini beat Sijia Wei while Elena Rybakina, the sixth seed, crushed 16-year-old Australian Emerson Jones.
Former US Open champion Emma Raducanu progressed, as did eighth seed Emma Navarro and Ons Jabeur.
