Carlos Alcaraz compares win vs. Joao Fonseca to when Rafael Nadal 'destroyed' him

Match Reaction

Alcaraz compares win vs. Fonseca to when Nadal 'destroyed' him

Alcaraz first met Nadal in Madrid in 2021

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Carlos Alcaraz defeated Joao Fonseca in the pair's first Lexus ATP Head2Head match on Friday in Miami. By ATP Staff

Though Joao Fonseca lost matches to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner this month, the 19-year-old Brazilian's short-term disappointment could pave the way to a new level of success on the ATP Tour.

Fonseca fell 6-4, 6-4 to Alcaraz on Friday at the Miami Open presented by Itau, less than two weeks after dropping a 7-6(6), 7-6(4) decision to Sinner in the Indian Wells fourth round. The Brazilian pushed both opponents — the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the PIF ATP Rankings, respectively — with his powerful tennis and more than played his part in two thrilling ATP Masters 1000 showdowns. It was his first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with both players.

While Alcaraz was happy with his composure under pressure, having saved all three break points against him in the win, the Spanish star knows an even tougher test may await in his second showdown with Fonseca. The Brazilian's two defeats in March could provide the perfect education for his march towards the top of the PIF ATP Rankings.

"For him, playing toe to toe with us, I think he and his team are going to get great feedback to know what he should improve in the future," Alcaraz said post-match. "I think he has everything, great shots, a lot of things to improve, but for sure he's going to do it. Back-to-back tournaments playing the No. 1 and No. 2 in the world, I think it's going to be really helpful for him."

Discussing Fonseca's crash course against the world's best, Alcaraz recalled his own introduction to the game's elite against Rafael Nadal. The two Spaniards played the first of their three Lexus ATP Head2Head matches in Madrid in 2021.

"I do remember when I played Rafael Nadal for the first time, and I do remember how good that match was for me, even though I was destroyed," said Alcaraz, who lost 6-1, 6-2 on the red clay. One year later, Alcaraz scored his first and only win against Nadal in a three-set quarter-final at the same event. He went on to beat Novak Djokovic in three sets in the semis before breezing past Alexander Zverev in the final — on his way to becoming the youngest year-end World No. 1 at age 19.

Fonseca holds a career-high PIF ATP Ranking of No. 25 from last November and currently sits at No. 39 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. If he is to one day join Alcaraz and Sinner in the ATP No. 1 Club, his defeats to them this month may ultimately be remembered as a springboard for his ascent.

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