João Fonseca had plenty to celebrate in New York on Wednesday, as he not only marked his 18th birthday but also advanced to the final round of qualifying for the US Open. The young Brazilian talent, currently ranked #162 in the world, took to Court 8 at Flushing Meadows and defeated France’s Calvin Hémery, ranked #199, in straight sets 6-4, 6-3.
This victory brings Fonseca within one match of reaching the main draw of the US Open, a significant milestone in his career. It is his first time competing in the qualifying rounds of this prestigious tournament. Next up, he will face 22-year-old American Eliot Spizzirri, who is ranked #343. Spizzirri pulled off an upset of his own, defeating Belgium’s Joris de Loore 7-5, 7-6(5) to advance.
The match against Hémery was tightly contested, with both players serving well until the crucial ninth game of the first set. At 4-5, Hémery attempted an underhand serve at 0-15, trying to catch Fonseca off guard. However, the Brazilian responded swiftly, winning the point and eventually breaking Hémery’s serve to take the set 6-4. Fonseca maintained his composure in the second set, continuing to serve strongly while Hémery struggled to hold his serve consistently. Fonseca’s maturity and control throughout the match earned him a well-deserved victory.
This success is another highlight of Fonseca’s rapid rise. A year ago, he was still competing in the junior circuit, where he claimed the US Open title in the under-18 category. His transition to the professional ranks has been impressive, and he is quickly establishing himself as one of Brazil’s brightest tennis prospects. With a combination of power, skill, and mental toughness, Fonseca now looks to secure a place in the main draw of the US Open, where he hopes to continue his upward trajectory on the global tennis stage.
