Joao Fonseca knocked Novak Djokovic out of the French Open, winning, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, in their third-round match.
In doing so, Fonseca became the first player in 16 years to beat Djokovic from two sets down.
How many Grand Slam titles will Joao Fonseca win in his career?
What a match!
Fonseca was understandably delighted with the win and claimed he did something for the first time in his career during the latter stages of his match against Djokovic.
Joao Fonseca says he felt like John Isner serving three aces in a row to beat Novak Djokovic
After securing the break to lead Djokovic 6-5, Fonseca found himself down 30-40.
What followed surprised everyone, including the Brazilian.
Fonseca served three consecutive aces, defeating the three-time Roland Garros champion.
“I guess I just believed I could do aces,” said Fonseca.
“I felt like John Isner!
“It was crazy, I never did that before.
“I was just super happy that I could finish like this.”
Joao Fonseca vs Novak Djokovic – Match stats
| Stats | Joao Fonseca | Novak Djokovic |
| Aces | 11 | 8 |
| Double faults | 1 | 1 |
| 1st Serve % | 74% | 71% |
| Win % on 1st Serve | 69% | 68% |
| Win % on 2nd Serve | 44% | 54% |
| Break points | 6/15 | 5/16 |
Fonseca’s serve sealed his spot in the fourth round of the French Open.
The Brazilian also gave his overall assessment of the match, praising his opponent in the process.
“I actually didn’t [believe I could win], I just played, I just enjoyed being on court, and what a pleasure it was,” said Fonseca.
“What an idol we have, and it’s a pleasure just stepping on the court against him.
“It’s the first time stepping on the court against him, so just thanking him and very happy.
“I was just trying to hit the ball as fast as I could.
“[Novak] Djokovic, he just doesn’t miss.
“We still think he’s 20. I think in the end of the match, I think he was more fit than me; it’s crazy!
“I felt that when the day was getting darker, I felt much slower, and for me, it was much better, because I could produce a little bit more power for sure.
“At the beginning, I was still struggling a little bit with the heat, the ball, I touched the ball, and it goes, I was not feeling good, and after, I felt better.”
Fonseca adapted to the changing conditions to book his place in the last 16.
Can Joao Fonseca actually win the French Open?
Why not?
The Brazilian has long been touted as a future Grand Slam champion, and he is now just four wins away from making his dream a reality.
Joao Fonseca’s (projected) route to the Roland Garros title
- 1R [WIN] vs Luka Pavlovic, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2
- 2R [WIN] vs Dino Prizmic, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-2
- 3R [WIN] vs Novak Djokovic, 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5
- 4R vs Casper Ruud/Tommy Paul
- QF vs Andrey Rublev/Jakub Mensik
- SF vs Alexander Zverev/Rafael Jodar
- F vs Felix Auger-Aliassime/Frances Tiafoe
His odds have been boosted by both the withdrawal of Carlos Alcaraz and Juan Manuel Cerundolo’s upset win over Jannik Sinner.
Fonseca is now arguably one of the favourites to win the competition, perhaps alongside the likes of Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, and Rafael Jodar.
He won’t want to get ahead of himself, though, and will quickly turn his attention to the fourth round.
There, he will play either Ruud or Tommy Paul.
The Norwegian trails Paul by two sets to one on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
