The Australian Open 2025: Teen sensation Joao Fonseca stuns world No.9 AndreyRublev

Brazilian teen sensation Joao Fonseca has put his name up in lights with a stunning first-round upset of world No.9 Andrey Rublev on his Australian Open debut.

Qualifier Fonseca, 18, who won the ATP Next Gen finals last month, underlined his status as one of the next big things with the extraordinary 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-6 (7-5) victory.

In his first match against a top-10 player, Fonseca finished the job with a lethal forehand down-the-line winner in front of an adoring crowd at Margaret Court Arena.

“It was my first time playing in a huge stadium and my first main draw of a grand slam so I just enjoyed playing,” Fonseca said.

“I really want to thank this amazing crowd. There are some Brazilians here, a lot of Brazilians here who are cheering for me and I just enjoyed every moment.

“I was just focusing on my game. Like trying to put no pressure on myself, playing with a top-10 guy in a huge stadium and just trying to call the crowd to help me.”

Fonseca will next face Italian Lorenzo Sonego in the second round.

Three-time quarter-finalist Rublev is the highest-ranked loser so far in the men’s draw at Melbourne Park.

Earlier, red-hot world No.4 Taylor Fritz franked his strong finish to last season with a straight-sets win.

The 2024 US Open and ATP Finals runner-up ran roughshod over countryman Jenson Brooksby in their all-American affair in the beaming sunshine on John Cain Arena on Tuesday.

Fresh from leading Team USA to their second United Cup victory, Fritz hit 34 winners and kept his unforced error count to 21 to win 6-2 6-0 6-3 in an hour and 46 minutes.

The 27-year-old, who concluded his blazing 2024 campaign with a loss to world No.1 Jannik Sinner in the season-ending Tour Finals in Turin, said he was happy with how he had opened up in Melbourne.

He’s itching for another crack at a major after the Italian also bested him in the final at Flushing Meadows.

“I would like to win a big title this year,” Fritz told reporters after the match.

“Obviously the goal is to win, but another opportunity at winning a slam would be great.”

His second-round opponent will be Chilean qualifier Cristian Garin, who streamrolled to a 7-5 6-1 6-2 victory over Croatian Borna Coric.

Danish 13th seed Holger Rune had a much tougher time against China’s Zhang Zhizhen, fending him off in five gruelling sets on Margaret Court Arena.

The big-serving Zhang slammed down 21 aces but fell short of one of his biggest career wins, losing 4-6 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6.

Rune said three hours and 10 minutes on court in hot conditions had left his body feeling weary.

Matteo Berrettini is waiting for him in the next round after the Italian battled back from a set down to triumph over Brit Cameron Norrie 6-7 (4-7) 6-4 6-1 6-3.

There were eight men’s matches that went the distance on day three, including world No.5 Daniil Medvedev’s 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej.

Making his 19th main-draw appearance in Melbourne, flamboyant veteran Gael Monfils kept his cool to down French countryman and 30th seed Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6 (9-7) 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 in a match that featured just two breaks of serve.

World No.51 Miomir Kecmanovic also won a topsy-turvy five-setter over fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic, as Russian Karen Khachanov cruised past French journeyman Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 6-3.

Big-serving Polish 18th seed Hubert Hurkacz was untroubled in a 7-5 6-4 6-4 win over Dutch world No.40 Tallon Griekspoor, while fellow seed Francisco Cerundolo dispatched Kazak Alexander Bublik 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 6-2 in less than two hours.

In the other all-American men’s clash, former Open quarter-finalist and 22nd seed Ben Shelton won a 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 arm-wrestle with world No.35 Brandon Nakashima.

Late on Tuesday night, Denis Shapovalov fought back from a set down to beat Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6 6-4 6-4 7-6 (10-8).