Sports

After Sinner test in Indian Wells, Fonseca books Alcaraz clash in Miami

Fonseca (BRA) reacts after winning a point against Fabian Marozs
 
Fonseca (BRA) reacts after winning a point against Fabian Marozs


MIAM: Brazilian teenager ⁠Joao Fonseca said he was looking forward to playing Carlos ​Alcaraz for the ​first time as he prepares to meet the world number one at the Miami Open a week after pushing second-ranked Jannik Sinner hard at Indian Wells.
The 19-year-old, who delivered a 6-4 3-6 6-2 first-round ⁠victory over Fabian Marozsan in Miami on Thursday, burst ⁠onto the scene by winning the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, a tournament that served as the launchpad for former champions Alcaraz ‌and Sinner.
That duo have since ​gone on to ⁠capture 10 of the last 11 Grand ​Slams, and Fonseca said he ‌was eager to see how he would fare against Alcaraz in Miami after ​losing 7-6(6) 7-6(4) to Sinner in the fourth round of Indian Wells.
'I'm excited for sure,' Fonseca told reporters.
'I don't know about other players, but I look forward to playing against the ‌top players. I played against Jannik last tournament, and ​now I'm playing against Carlos.
'It's a super experience, so I'm ​looking ‌forward ⁠to it. It's going to be a great match. Hopefully I can get the win.'
Fonseca, who attracts supporters ​by the thousands at events, with the ⁠atmosphere often resembling ​soccer matches, is sure to enjoy plenty of vocal support against Alcaraz just like he did against Marozsan.
'The crowd really helped me to stay positive throughout the match,' ​he said.
'I'm very happy with this win ​and hopefully I can continue playing like this during the tournament.'