The teenager’s path to the Basel final included a win over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, a walkover against No. 7 seed Jakub Mensik, and a quarterfinal victory after No. 9 seed Denis Shapovalov retired with a knee injury while trailing 3-6, 6-3, 4-1.
No matter the result on Sunday, Fonseca is guaranteed a new career-high ranking, projected to rise to at least No. 34 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.
“It’s been an amazing year, starting at No. 130 in the world, now 40-something and into a first ATP 500 final,” Fonseca said.
“We didn’t go to Asia this year, I was a little bit sick. I was working with my mentality, and now I’m getting the opportunities… I’m just very happy to be here.”
