Joao Fonseca’s comeback win over Novak Djokovic is being compared to one of Roger Federer’s famous victories.
Fonseca came from two sets down to beat Djokovic 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, to achieve his best ever Grand Slam result.
It was a very dramatic match, which culminated in Fonseca hitting three aces to seal victory over Djokovic.
When reacting to Fonseca’s win over Djokovic, former Roland Garros semifinalist Tim Henman revealed that it reminded him of one of Federer’s wins at Wimbledon.
Tim Henman compares Joao Fonseca beating Novak Djokovic to Roger Federer beating Pete Sampras
When giving his verdict on the match for TNT Sports, Henman was full of praise for Fonseca, who he claimed showed ‘unbelievable maturity’ at 19 years old.
Henman would then compare Fonseca’s win to Federer beating Pete Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001.
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What a match!
“There are some great forehands out there but when Fonseca is playing in these types of conditions…the power he can generate is off the charts,” said Henman.
“Federer beat Sampras at Wimbledon in 2001 – to Fonseca coming out against Djokovic, he sort of reminded me a little bit. First time Federer played on Centre Court was against Sampras. The first time Fonseca’s been out on [Court Philippe-]Chatrier, it’s against Djokovic.
“He’s got to savour this moment. He showed unbelievable maturity on the court, the way he played, the way he spoke after, you, on his mum’s birthday. I mean, you couldn’t [write it], I don’t know who writes his scripts, but they are good.
“I think this was just incredible that he was able to keep showing the athletic ability in one area that touched on, and I was a little bit unsure was his fitness and his overall movement.”
Boris Becker agrees with Tim Henman’s Joao Fonseca and Roger Federer comparison
Henman is not the only former player who has this opinion, with six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker agreeing with him.
Becker wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter), “One of the best matches, that I can remember ….it reminded me of Sampras v Federer first time at Wimbledon!”
Federer would reach the quarterfinals of Wimbledon that year, where he would actually lose out to Henman.
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Fonseca has never reached a Grand Slam final before, but he will be hoping to reach the last-eight of a major for the first time in Paris.
The Brazilian teenager will play Casper Ruud for the first time in his fourth round match, as Fonseca looks to take advantage of the lack of Grand Slam champions remaining in the tournament.
