MIAMI, USA — “JOAO. FONSECA. JOAO. FONSECA.” For over two hours and 30 minutes at the Hard Rock Stadium, that’s all that Alex de Minaur could hear every time he walked to the Stadium Court baseline to face Brazil’s Joao Fonseca—and his passionate legion of yellow-and-green clad supporters.
Their chanting was so loud it could be heard all the way across the grounds on Grandstand, where the winner’s next opponent—Matteo Berrettini and Zizou Bergs—were still on court, as thousands of Brazilian fans tried to will the 18-year-old phenom over the finish line on Monday evening.
De Minaur blocked out all the noise, and silenced the crowd to claim a dramatic victory in the Miami Open presented by Itau third round, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3.
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“A whole lot of head. Ultimately that’s what it took today, and knowing what to expect mentally,” De Minaur reflected afterward. “I knew that not only was I going to play an incredible talent in Joao, who is playing with immense confidence right now and with nothing to lose, but also playing against an incredible crowd which was going to be by his side from the first point to the last.
“I knew it was going to be a dangerous combo, so the only option for me was to keep my head down, stay positive, fight til the end and ultimately show what I can do.
“One of my biggest strengths is my mentality, and that’s a big part of what got me the win today.”
