Fonseca Is Youngest to Reach Round of 16 at Monte-Carlos Since Nadal and Gasquet in 2005

João Fonseca is making the most of his debut at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters. He says he isn’t quite sure what his favorite surface is, but there’s no doubt that the Brazilian teen is comfortable on clay — the surface he grew up practicing and competing on.

On Tuesday, he proved it with a hard-fought victory over France’s Arthur Rinderknech, and cracked a milestone in the process.

Nineteen-year-old Fonseca became the youngest man to reach the Monte-Carlo round of 16 since 2005 — one year before he was born — as he defeated the French No. 1, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

Not since Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet played the round of 16 as 18-year-olds has a teen lit up the tournament at such a young age. Fonseca, who will turn 20 on August 21, withstood brilliant serving and fantastic net play from Rinderknech to improve to 12-3 against the ATP’s Top 50 since September.

He also became the fourth Brazilian to reach the round of 16 at Monte-Carlo in the Open Era, after legendary Gustavo Kuerten (three times), Fernando Meligeni (1999) and Thomaz Bellucci (2012).

Rinderknech came to play with purpose, serving big and dominating at the net. He won 26 of 31 points there and matched Fonseca in forehand winners, with 16 apiece.

“He was changing the rhythm a lot, so it was difficult to play,” Fonseca said on court after the win. “He was serving very well, making a lot of drop shots, serve-and-volley.

“I think his average serve was like 220 today, something like that, so it was difficult. Even second serves were like 190, 180. So it was difficult to feel the ball on the return games, and he was also hitting pretty well. He hit very good shots. He has a good touch as well at the net — I think he only lost, like, one or two points there. He’s such a great player.”

Fonseca saved 10 of 12 break points and made the most of his opportunities in the decider, breaking for 5-3 before serving out the match. Impressively, he was never taken to deuce in any of his five service games in the final set.

“I was fighting with myself sometimes,” Fonseca said. “I knew it was a difficult match, and I needed to take the opportunities that I had. It was a good fight. I fought until the end — that was positive.”

Fonseca will face Matteo Berrettini in the round of 16 on Thursday.

Fonseca improves to 16-12 lifetime on clay with the win, and 3-2 on the surface this season.