Teen Sensation Fonseca Shines at Rio Open, Berrettini Advances in Opener

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca delivered a commanding performance to secure his first win of the season against Thiago Monteiro. Former top-10 player Matteo Berrettini also progressed, needing two tight sets to overcome Tomas Barrios Vera. The day featured a major upset as lucky loser Jaime Faria defeated two-time champion Sebastian Baez in straight sets. Argentine players Francisco Cerundolo, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, and Tomas Martin Etcheverry all booked their places in the second round.

Key Points: Rio Open: Fonseca Wins, Berrettini Advances, Upsets Galore

  • Joao Fonseca's dominant serving display
  • Matteo Berrettini's tight two-set win
  • Jaime Faria's upset over Sebastian Baez
  • Cerundolo brothers both advance
  • Multiple Argentine clashes in first round
2 min read

Rio Open: Fonseca earns first win of the season, Berrettini prevails in opener

Joao Fonseca earns first season win at Rio Open. Matteo Berrettini, Francisco Cerundolo advance. Jaime Faria scores major upset over Sebastian Baez.

Rio Open: Fonseca earns first win of the season, Berrettini prevails in opener
"It was the biggest victory of my career. - Jaime Faria"

Rio de Janeiro, Feb 18

Local hero Joao Fonseca earned his first win of the season at the Rio Open with a 7-6, 6-1 win over countryman Thiago Monteiro in the opening round.

Fonseca delivered a dominant serving display. He fired seven aces, including two in a clutch opening set tie-break, and won 84 per cent (36/43) of his first-serve points, according to ATP Stats.

The 19-year-old claimed the win in one hour and 24 minutes, during which he did not face a break point. He will face Ignacio Buse in the next round.

In other opening-round action, Matteo Berrettini held firm to defeat lucky loser Tomas Barrios Vera 7-6(1), 7-5. The match featured only one break of serve when Berrettini broke Barrios Vera in the final game to seal his two-hour, 25-minute win against the Chilean.

Tomas Martin Etcheverry and top seed Francisco Cerundolo both advanced to the second round by winning an all-Argentine clash.

Etcheverry defeated Francisco Comesana 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 and Cerundolo cruised past Mariano Navone 6-3, 6-4.

His younger brother, Juan Manuel Cerundolo, upset second seed Luciano Darderi 6-1, 3-6, 6-4. The victory came just two days after Francisco defeated Darderi in the Buenos Aires final.

Earlier, Portuguese player Jaime Faria staged an upset in the first round when he defeated the two-time champion Argentinian Sebastián Baez.

Faria, who entered the main singles draw as a lucky loser, advanced to the second round with 7-5, 6-1 win over Baez.

"It was the biggest victory of my career. I played a competent game, I managed to put energy into it from the beginning to the end and I realized he wasn't comfortable on the court, he wasn't at his best day and I took advantage of that," said Faria.

Faria's next opponent will be Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, who defeated Spaniard Pedro Martinez 0-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
Berrettini is such a fighter. Good to see him back and winning close matches. The ATP tour is more exciting with players like him in form. Faria's win over Baez is a huge upset!
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Arjun K
The Cerundolo brothers doing well! Juan Manuel beating the second seed after his brother just won Buenos Aires... family pride on the line 😄. Meanwhile, our Indian players are struggling on clay. We need to develop better clay-court games, it's a weakness.
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Priya S
Jaime Faria's quote shows great maturity. "I realized he wasn't comfortable... and I took advantage." That's smart tennis. In India, we often see our players freeze in big moments against top seeds. Mental game is key!
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Vikram M
South American clay season is always exciting. But honestly, as an Indian fan, it's a bit disheartening. We don't have a single player in these ATP 500 events. Where is our next Somdev or Yuki? AITA needs to step up their development program.
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Nikhil C
Dzumhur coming back from 0-6 in the first set to win! That's the kind of fighting spirit we love to see. Never give up. More Indian players should get wildcards into these South American tournaments to gain experience.

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