Latest news with #GustavoKuerten
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jack Draper beats João Fonseca in straight sets to reach French Open fourth round
A few days on from his unforgettable late-night escape against the oldest player inside the men's top 100, Jack Draper found himself up against the youngest of them all. From the unparalleled defensive capabilities of the 38-year-old Gaël Monfils, Draper examined the 18-year-old João Fonseca's nuclear forehand. No matter the challenge or conditions, Draper continues to show his ability to adapt to all obstacles in his path. He eased into the fourth round of the French Open for the first time in his career with an utterly devastating performance, by far his best of the tournament so far, dismantling Fonseca 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to advance. Advertisement Related: French Open live: Draper and Sinner storm through, Gauff in action on day seven Since he marked his grand slam career with a stellar top 10 victory over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open in January, the hype surrounding Fonseca has been overwhelming. Along with the massive expectations surrounding his talent, the Brazilian's emergence has reawakened one of the most passionate tennis fanbases in the world. At Roland Garros, where the legendary Gustavo Kuerten triumphed three times, the Brazilian fans were always going to be at their loudest. Back in March, Draper, the fifth seed in Paris, navigated two memorable events involving Fonseca. He played Fonseca for the first time in their second round match at Indian Wells, winning comfortably. A few weeks later at the Miami Open, the 23-year-old indirectly felt the force of the Brazilian's fanbase. Fonseca had initially been scheduled after Draper, but during the Briton's match it was abruptly moved to a bigger court. As thousands of booing fans angrily departed the court, Draper's match was briefly suspended: 'I thought the crowd was there to watch me but then when I rocked up on the court they went: 'João Fonseca,' I thought maybe they're not for me after all,' said Draper. Advertisement The hype surrounding Fonseca is a little too much, particularly since most young players benefit from developing without so much immediate pressure, but it exists for good reason. He is a precocious, exciting player already blessed with one of the most potent forehands in the game, which he pairs with a solid serve, improving athleticism and daredevil shotmaking. It is solely a reflection of Draper's complete game and relentless focus that Fonseca looked so pedestrian in this match. Fully conscious of the danger presented by a fearless youngster, Draper was sharp from the beginning. He opened up by returning consistently and with excellent depth, defending brilliantly as he repeatedly soaked up Fonseca's first strike. He set the tone with an early comfortable break in Fonseca's second service game. In the aftermath of his victory on Thursday night in painfully slow night conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Draper noted that the balls were so heavy it felt like he was playing with depressurised orange balls for children. He was uncomfortable until the end. Despite the humidity, the warmer daytime conditions provided a far more optimal platform for him to show just how effective his game can be on these courts. As he rolled through the first set, Draper's forehand was devastating. His brutal weight of shot – the combined force of his extreme topspin and immense ball speed – and unrelenting depth completely smothered the Brazilian, making Fonseca's ball look lightweight by comparison. Draper only continued to grow in confidence behind his forehand and by the second set he was striking it with total freedom and changing directions down the line at will. Under constant pressure from Draper's forehand and unable to break through the Briton's defence, Fonseca's forehand error count piled up as he aimed closer and closer to the lines. This was a spectacular, complete performance from an increasingly complete player: Draper also served brilliantly, maintaining his pressure on Fonseca's service games by rolling through his own, and he returned with immaculate consistency and depth. As he continued to push Fonseca far behind the baseline with the force of his forehand, he peppered his opponent with a stream of well-timed drop shots. Having arrived in Paris still seeking his first victory at Roland Garros, Draper heads into the second week looking stronger than he has ever been.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Jack Draper beats João Fonseca in straight sets to reach French Open fourth round
A few days on from his unforgettable late-night escape against the oldest player inside the men's top 100, Jack Draper found himself up against the youngest of them all. From the unparalleled defensive capabilities of the 38-year-old Gaël Monfils, Draper examined the 18-year-old João Fonseca's nuclear forehand. No matter the challenge or conditions, Draper continues to show his ability to adapt to all obstacles in his path. He eased into the fourth round of the French Open for the first time in his career with an utterly devastating performance, by far his best of the tournament so far, dismantling Fonseca 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 to advance. Since he marked his grand slam career with a stellar top 10 victory over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open in January, the hype surrounding Fonseca has been overwhelming. Along with the massive expectations surrounding his talent, the Brazilian's emergence has reawakened one of the most passionate tennis fanbases in the world. At Roland Garros, where the legendary Gustavo Kuerten triumphed three times, the Brazilian fans were always going to be at their loudest. Back in March, Draper, the fifth seed in Paris, navigated two memorable events involving Fonseca. He played Fonseca for the first time in their second round match at Indian Wells, winning comfortably. A few weeks later at the Miami Open, the 23-year-old indirectly felt the force of the Brazilian's fanbase. Fonseca had initially been scheduled after Draper, but during the Briton's match it was abruptly moved to a bigger court. As thousands of booing fans angrily departed the court, Draper's match was briefly suspended: 'I thought the crowd was there to watch me but then when I rocked up on the court they went: 'João Fonseca,' I thought maybe they're not for me after all,' said Draper. The hype surrounding Fonseca is a little too much, particularly since most young players benefit from developing without so much immediate pressure, but it exists for good reason. He is a precocious, exciting player already blessed with one of the most potent forehands in the game, which he pairs with a solid serve, improving athleticism and daredevil shotmaking. It is solely a reflection of Draper's complete game and relentless focus that Fonseca looked so pedestrian in this match. Fully conscious of the danger presented by a fearless youngster, Draper was sharp from the beginning. He opened up by returning consistently and with excellent depth, defending brilliantly as he repeatedly soaked up Fonseca's first strike. He set the tone with an early comfortable break in Fonseca's second service game. In the aftermath of his victory on Thursday night in painfully slow night conditions on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Draper noted that the balls were so heavy it felt like he was playing with depressurised orange balls for children. He was uncomfortable until the end. Despite the humidity, the warmer daytime conditions provided a far more optimal platform for him to show just how effective his game can be on these courts. Sign up to The Recap The best of our sports journalism from the past seven days and a heads-up on the weekend's action after newsletter promotion As he rolled through the first set, Draper's forehand was devastating. His brutal weight of shot – the combined force of his extreme topspin and immense ball speed – and unrelenting depth completely smothered the Brazilian, making Fonseca's ball look lightweight by comparison. Draper only continued to grow in confidence behind his forehand and by the second set he was striking it with total freedom and changing directions down the line at will. Under constant pressure from Draper's forehand and unable to break through the Briton's defence, Fonseca's forehand error count piled up as he aimed closer and closer to the lines. This was a spectacular, complete performance from an increasingly complete player: Draper also served brilliantly, maintaining his pressure on Fonseca's service games by rolling through his own, and he returned with immaculate consistency and depth. As he continued to push Fonseca far behind the baseline with the force of his forehand, he peppered his opponent with a stream of well-timed drop shots. Having arrived in Paris still seeking his first victory at Roland Garros, Draper heads into the second week looking stronger than he has ever been.
Asharq Al-Awsat
7 days ago
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Fonseca Credits Former Champion Kuerten for Brazilian Support at French Open
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca began his French Open campaign with a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Hubert Hurkacz in front of a packed crowd on Court Seven and attributed the huge support to the popularity of compatriot and former champion Gustavo Kuerten. All three of former world number one Kuerten's Grand Slam triumphs came at the French Open (1997, 2000 and 2001) and 18-year-old Fonseca said that he had made the tournament more popular with Brazilian tennis fans. "I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, a lot of Brazilians living here and they come a lot," Fonseca told reporters after his win over 30th seed Hurkacz on Tuesday. "I think because of Guga (Kuerten), because of the tradition, there is a lot of Brazilians." One of the rising stars of the men's tour, Fonseca shocked ninth seed Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open in January and became the youngest Brazilian to win an ATP tournament at the Argentina Open the following month. Fonseca said he wanted to focus on improving himself instead of the growing pressure brought on by rising expectations. "Sometimes the pressure is going to come. It's normal. You need to deal with it," he added. Fonseca may not enjoy the same level of support in the next round on Thursday as he faces Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
Reuters
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Fonseca credits former champion Kuerten for Brazilian support at French Open
May 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca began his French Open campaign with a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Hubert Hurkacz in front of a packed crowd on Court Seven and attributed the huge support to the popularity of compatriot and former champion Gustavo Kuerten. All three of former world number one Kuerten's Grand Slam triumphs came at the French Open (1997, 2000 and 2001) and 18-year-old Fonseca said that he had made the tournament more popular with Brazilian tennis fans. "I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, a lot of Brazilians living here and they come a lot," Fonseca told reporters after his win over 30th seed Hurkacz on Tuesday. "I think because of Guga (Kuerten), because of the tradition, there is a lot of Brazilians." One of the rising stars of the men's tour, Fonseca shocked ninth seed Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open in January and became the youngest Brazilian to win an ATP tournament at the Argentina Open the following month. Fonseca said he wanted to focus on improving himself instead of the growing pressure brought on by rising expectations. "Sometimes the pressure is going to come. It's normal. You need to deal with it," he added. Fonseca may not enjoy the same level of support in the next round on Thursday as he faces Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
CNA
7 days ago
- General
- CNA
Fonseca credits former champion Kuerten for Brazilian support at French Open
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca began his French Open campaign with a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Hubert Hurkacz in front of a packed crowd on Court Seven and attributed the huge support to the popularity of compatriot and former champion Gustavo Kuerten. All three of former world number one Kuerten's Grand Slam triumphs came at the French Open (1997, 2000 and 2001) and 18-year-old Fonseca said that he had made the tournament more popular with Brazilian tennis fans. "I knew there is going to be a lot of Brazilians here in Paris, a lot of Brazilians living here and they come a lot," Fonseca told reporters after his win over 30th seed Hurkacz on Tuesday. "I think because of Guga (Kuerten), because of the tradition, there is a lot of Brazilians." One of the rising stars of the men's tour, Fonseca shocked ninth seed Andrey Rublev on his Grand Slam main draw debut at the Australian Open in January and became the youngest Brazilian to win an ATP tournament at the Argentina Open the following month. Fonseca said he wanted to focus on improving himself instead of the growing pressure brought on by rising expectations. "Sometimes the pressure is going to come. It's normal. You need to deal with it," he added. Fonseca may not enjoy the same level of support in the next round on Thursday as he faces Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
