Russian Andrey Rublev, seeded ninth, was upset by qualifier Joao Fonseca, an 18-year-old from Brazil. He stormed into his Grand Slam main draw debut, stunning Rublev 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5) in two hours and 23 minutes.

At just 18, João Fonseca is putting the tennis world on notice, as illustrated by his clinical straight-sets victory over ninth seed Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.

In a highly entertaining Australian Open first round match, 18-year-old Joao Fonseca defeated ninth ranked Andrey Rublev.

Fonseca has long looked like a star-in-waiting. Under pressure in his first Grand Slam set, he delivered beyond those lofty expectations

In his first-ever Grand Slam match, Fonseca defeated World No. 9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets: 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5). The match was evenly contested, but Fonseca was dominant with his power and agility.

Fonseca was part of the 2024 lineup alongside Fils and Luca Van Assche of France; Michelsen, eventual finalist Learner Tien and Nishesh Basavareddy of the U.S.; Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic and Shang Juncheng of China, who also goes by his Americanized name, Jerry Shang.

The Brazilian teenager has long been touted as the next big thing in tennis and he proved his supporters right by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals in December - a tournament for top players under the age of 21, which has previously been won by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

In the recent years, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and even Alexander Zverev have not been lived up to their billing.

Joao Fonseca says Australian Open expectations are changing to the mentality of a champion after dumping out ninth seed Andrey Rublev; Daniil Medvedev smashes net camera after angry outburst during five-set win over world No 418;

João Fonseca has definitively introduced himself to the world as the latest teen sensation in men’s tennis by upsetting No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5) in the first round of the Australian Open.

Prediction for the ATP Australian Open match which will take place on January 14. Who will turn out to be stronger? Check the team conditions! Several betting options are available.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This image made from animation and provided by Tennis Australia shows Brazil’s Joao Fonseca during his ...