More problems for the organisers of the Rio Open with rain disrupting play allowing only three matches to be played which included the last of the opening round encounters and two of the second-round clashes.
And it was that final opening round result which caught the public’s imagination attention as 17-year-old Juan Fonseca, a Brazilian wild card ranked 655, took out the fifth seeded Arthur Fils, the highly rated 19-year-old French youngster more than comfortably, 6-0 6-4.
Fonseca dominated the 90-minute match with his punishing forehand, delivering 17 winners to Fils’ 10.
“I am so happy. It couldn’t be better than this to get my first win 10 minutes away from my house and with all my friends, all my family watching,” the youngster after falling to his knees and in disbelief at what he had achieve.
“It’s very special and let’s go for another one in the second round.
“I was focused on making every ball. Obviously, I was nervous, I was shaking, but I wanted so much to win, I made it.
“The last few months I was so focused on my progress, and this is the result. I am a lot more mature, and this is where I belong. I want to be in these huge stadiums.”
Fonseca will next play Chilean Cristian Garin.
“The match against Garin will be another tough one, but I think I’m prepared,” Fonseca said in his post-match press conference. “I’m at home and have my family and friends here to support me so hopefully I’ll try to enjoy the moment and let’s see what happens.
“I’ve been coming to the Rio Open since the first edition and this makes this win even more special to me… I know this was a big step, but it’s not over yet. I’m happy but I want more and more and hopefully keep going in the tournament. I want to reach the top and that’s what I’m focused on.
“I knew it was going to be a tough match but the pressure was on his side so I tried to work with that. I tried to keep my intensity since the first point. I played really well on the first set and I knew he was going to be a bit nervous playing against a younger opponent.
In the other matches, fourth seed Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina crushed Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 6-1 but Brazil’s Thiago Seyboth Wild will have to resume his match on Thursday as it was suspended with the score standing at 6-2, 2-3n in his favour against Spain’s Jaume Munar.
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