Fonseca Flashes, Alcaraz Finishes: First Clash Hints at More

The highly anticipated first showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca played out to great fanfare on Friday night in Miami. Fonseca had the crowd, flashed his firepower, and held his own, but it was the seven-time Grand Slam champion who ultimately held sway, powering to a composed 6-4, 6-4 victory.

Alcaraz, who last competed at Indian Wells where he fell to Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals, still has never lost to a player younger than himself.

Nineteen-year-old Fonseca never truly threatened to pull off the upset, but over the course of the high-octane contest, he offered glimpses of what this matchup could become in the years ahead.

Alcaraz, a few months shy of 23, leaned on his experience throughout. Unbothered by Fonseca’s pace and power, he delivered a rock-solid performance, quieting the crowd and setting up a third-round clash with American Sebastian Korda.

“I think I was really good in crucial moments. I was really good from the beginning until the last ball. I know how good Joao is, and that’s why I was really focused, every point, every shot,” Alcaraz said, after saving all three break points he faced.

Fonseca has now fallen to Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz in back-to-back tournaments. He didn’t take a set, but gained invaluable experience against two of the game’s brightest stars.

“I think he has everything—great shots, a lot of things to improve—but for sure he’s going to do it,” Alcaraz said. “Playing back-to-back tournaments against the No. 1 and No. 2 in the world is going to be really helpful for him.”

Alcaraz was aggressive and efficient from the start of the 95-minute match, striking 16 forehand winners to Fonseca’s five, and converting two of five break points.

Fonseca had chances. He held a break point at 3-2 in the opening set, then two more opportunities early in the second, but couldn’t capitalize.

Not all seeds fared as well on Friday in Miami.

Ethan Quinn notched the biggest win of his career by defeating 2021 Miami runner-up Casper Ruud, saving seven set points in the second set en route to a 6-4, 7-6(7) victory.

Raphael Collignon continued his strong form, knocking out No. 13 seed Flavio Cobolli, 7-5, 6-3.

Matteo Berrettini earned his first Top 10 win in nearly a year, defeating No. 10 seed Alexander Bublik, 6-4, 6-4.