Alcaraz, intractable: he reduced a hungry Fonseca and won the most anticipated match of the Miami Open

The first of many? Carlos Alcaraz (1st in the world) was left with an unprecedented confrontation against Joao Fonseca (39th) on the third day of competition in the United States. There was much talk and expectation for this all-star match, but finally the foam subsided and the European established his power. It was 6-4 and 6-4 in one hour and 34 minutes of play, solidly achieving qualification for the third round of the Miami Masters 1000.

The 22-year-old ATP leader, who arrived in Florida after losing his first match of the season (in Indian Wells against Russian Daniil Medvedev), prevailed forcefully against the jewel of Brazil, to put on your side a h2h which, almost certainly, will be stretched in the future, taking into account the leadership of the Murcian and the growth expectations of the South American representative.

The one born in Rio de Janeiro It is the talent called by many to invade the hegemony that Alcaraz and Sinner currently share and his threatening tennis seems to be more and more consolidated. He came to the tournament after a great campaign in the California Desert, where he beat renowned players such as Karen Khachanov and Tommy Paul, and where he was equal to the Italian, two in the world, with whom he lost in two twin sets of 7-6.

In the giant Hard Rock Stadium, Fonseca – having a bad time on the South American tour – could not take the reins of the game and, on the contrary, the pupil of Samuel López, recent winner of the Australian Open and seven-time Grand Slam champion, took on the challenge with intelligence. He abstracted himself from the atmosphere generated in the run-up to the commitment and took on the role of candidate that was cast upon him with enthusiasm and self-confidence.

Carlitos quickly took the lead with a timely break in the third gamesknew how to withstand Joao’s attacks on different occasions to emerge victorious from the occasional break point against him and He enjoyed the day in front of the crowd with his classic genius that makes you fall in love.

Convinced and with faith in himself intact, he again advanced to the third round at the Miami Open, a championship where in 2022 he won his first M1000 title. So, continues towards the eighth trophy in the category.

The 19-year-old player from Rio, champion of the Argentina Open 2025, left a pleasant image despite the defeat and left the competition with the peace of mind of having challenged the best player on the planet with height. Ex 24 of the ordinance, Fonseca knows he has a long way to go and that, if he manages to deal better with the pressure and strengthens his brilliant foundations of play, he will soon be one of the main entertainers of the men’s tour.

Unbeatably, Alcaraz, meanwhile, signed his 17th victory in the current calendar with superb tennis to show that his only intention in the tournament is to be champion again. He won in Australia and Doha in these first months of the year and will continue his adventure in Miami facing the local Sebastian Korda (36th).

All Miami Open activity can be followed LIVE on Disney+ Premium Plan.