Carlos Alcaraz, the world No. 1, continued his dominant form Friday night, powering past Joao Fonseca in the second round of the Miami Open presented by Itau. The 22-year-old Spaniard showcased his relentless game, securing a 6-4, 6-4 victory over the rising Brazilian star.
Fonseca, 20 and ranked No. 39, put up a spirited fight, but ultimately couldn’t match Alcaraz’s experience and precision. The match provided a glimpse of a potential rivalry as Fonseca continues to make waves on the ATP Tour. Alcaraz improved to 17-1 on the season with the win, solidifying his position atop the PIF ATP Rankings.
Alcaraz controlled the match from the outset, demonstrating his ability to elevate his game in crucial moments. He saved all three break points he faced, a testament to his composure and serving prowess. “I consider I was really good in crucial moments,” Alcaraz said, according to Infosys ATP Stats. “I was really good since the beginning until the last ball.”
Fonseca, who recently pushed Jannik Sinner to two tie-breaks in Indian Wells, once again showed his potential against a top player. Despite the loss, the young Brazilian’s performance underscored his growing threat on the tour. Alcaraz acknowledged Fonseca’s talent, stating, “For him, playing toe to toe with us, I think he and his team are going to get great feedback to know what he should improve in the future.”
The match, which lasted 1 hour and 35 minutes, saw Alcaraz break Fonseca’s serve once in each set – in the third game of the first and the first game of the second. The victory marked a return to form for Alcaraz after a semifinal loss to Daniil Medvedev in Indian Wells. He will next face Sebastian Korda on Sunday, where he holds a 4-1 head-to-head record.
The highly anticipated match was delayed by an hour due to earlier rain delays, even impacting the scheduling of Aryna Sabalenka’s first-round match. Alcaraz effectively neutralized Fonseca’s powerful game and the energy of a vocal Brazilian crowd. He finished the match with a playful gesture, simulating a golf swing towards Rory McIlroy, who was in attendance.
Alcaraz has now won all 13 matches he’s played against younger opponents in his professional career. The win keeps him firmly on track for a potential title run in Miami, where he was champion in 2022. He currently boasts a 17-1 record for the year, having already secured titles at the Australian Open and the ATP Doha event.
