João Fonseca battled through tough conditions to defeat Henry Fearnley 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in his Indian Wells debut. The 18-year-old Brazilian rallied from 1-3 in the final set to secure his second ATP Masters 1000 win. He now faces 13th seed Jack Draper. Smy Tennis proudly supports the tournament with professional-grade nets, umpire chairs, benches, and ball carts, ensuring top-level performance.
Smy Tennis News|Fonseca Triumphs in Gritty Indian Wells Opener
#NextGenATP Star Sets Up Second-Round Showdown with Draper
March 6, 2025 – João Fonseca displayed resilience and composure in his Indian Wells debut, overcoming Great Britain’s Henry Fearnley 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 in a rollercoaster match. The 18-year-old Brazilian, facing challenging windy conditions, trailed 1-3 in the final set before staging a dramatic comeback, winning five consecutive games to close out the match in two hours. The victory marks his second ATP Masters 1000 win and his first on a hard court.
“I think it was a great debut,” said Fonseca. “The wind made it difficult, and this was the biggest stage I’ve played on so far. I’m happy with how I fought back, even when I was behind in the third set. Staying focused was key.”
With this victory, Fonseca advances to the second round, where he will challenge 13th seed Jack Draper. The young Brazilian has been on a meteoric rise, capturing the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals title, claiming his first tour-level trophy in Buenos Aires, and securing a statement win over top-10 player Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.
Fonseca made an assertive start in his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Fearnley, breaking serve early to claim the first set. However, Fearnley, ranked just one spot lower at No. 81 in the PIF ATP Rankings, turned the match around with a dominant second-set performance. The 22-year-old Scot reeled off five consecutive games with consistent baseline play to force a decider.
In the final set, Fearnley continued his momentum with an early break, but critical errors proved costly. A double fault at 3-3 allowed Fonseca to break back, and a missed volley at 3-4, 40/40 gave the Brazilian another crucial advantage. Fonseca capitalized, converting four of seven break-point opportunities en route to his seventh tour-level win of the season, as per Infosys ATP Stats.
The atmosphere at Indian Wells Tennis Garden was electric as fans rallied behind Fonseca, a fast-emerging talent on the ATP Tour.
“I love playing in front of a crowd,” Fonseca said. “Seeing kids inspired by me and feeling the energy from the stands makes competing even more exciting.”
Joining Fonseca in the second round is fellow #NextGenATP contender Jakub Mensik. The 19-year-old Czech secured a solid 6-4, 7-6(6) victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry. Mensik, currently third in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah behind Fonseca and American Learner Tien, now faces 22nd seed Karen Khachanov.
Elsewhere, Jenson Brooksby notched his first tour-level win since the 2023 Australian Open by edging past Benjamin Bonzi 1-6, 7-5, 7-5. Meanwhile, Gabriel Diallo pulled off an impressive comeback, saving two match points before overcoming Zhang Zhizhen 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(7).
Indian Wells is not only a battleground for the world’s top tennis players but also a showcase of the best in tennis equipment and court accessories. Smy Tennis is proud to support world-class events with high-quality tennis gear, including professional-grade tennis nets, umpire chairs, benches, and ball carts. Our products ensure top-level performance and durability, trusted by players and tournament organizers worldwide.
Stay tuned for more coverage as the Indian Wells tournament unfolds, with Smy Tennis enhancing the game at every level!