Yesterday in Buenos Aires, 18-year-old Joao Fonseca became the youngest Brazilian man to reach an ATP semifinal in the Open Era, coming back from double match point down for a thrilling 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 quarterfinal victory over Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
Today he kept the wins coming, battling past Laslo Djere of Serbia, 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1, in the semifinals of the ATP 250 clay-court event.
And with that victory, he pulled off another set of achievements.
First of all, one-upping his own record from yesterday, he’s the youngest Brazilian man to reach an ATP final in the Open Era. The previous record belonged to Thiago Seyboth Wild, who was 19 when he reached the final—and eventually won the title—in Santiago in 2020.
Second of all, he’s the youngest South American man to reach an ATP final in 24 years. Jose Acasuso of Argentina was a slightly younger 18-year-old when he reached his first ATP final at Buenos Aires in 2001.
And last but definitely not least, cutting geography out of the equation, he’s the first man born in 2006 or later to reach an ATP final. He was already the first to reach an ATP quarterfinal (at his home tournament in Rio last year) and first to reach an ATP semifinal (this week).
More to come…
