Joao Fonseca’s campaign at the Miami Open 2025 came to an end as he succumbed to Alex de Minaur’s experience. The young Brazilian talent lost to the Aussie 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in a gripping contest on March 24.
The 18-year-old youth sensation had scores of fans at the Hard Rock Stadium, a testimony of his popularity in his home country.
Joao Fonseca’s Outing at Miami Open 2025
Fonseca, who ousted World No. 20 Ugo Humbert in the previous round, was aiming for his second Top 20 victory this tournament. The Rio de Janeiro native is No. 58 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, two spots ahead of his career high.
“I just wanted to entertain,” Joao Fonseca said in his post-match press conference. “I mean, it was probably going to be my last minutes in this year’s Miami, so I was just enjoying.
“People were calling ‘Joao Fonseca’. I was just, like, fighting, Okay, let’s go… I was just enjoying the moment. I was looking at my coach, just laughing, just enjoying. Those moments were cool.
“I mean, it’s my job, but it’s the job that I love, so you need to enjoy sometimes.”
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While Fonseca displayed his energetic approach, de Minaur banked on his experience and technique to seal the match.
But de Minaur won six of the final seven games to move into the fourth round, keeping his cool even when the crowd, at times, disrupted his serve preparation.
He has tied with Felix Auger-Aliassime for the most wins this year at seven.
“Mentally I was ready for this match, I knew I was not only going to play an incredible talent like Joao, playing with immense confidence and nothing to lose, but also an incredible crowd that was on his side from the first point until the last,” said de Minaur, who will face Matteo Berrettini for a place in the quarter-finals.
“One of my biggest strengths is my mentality and that is what got me the win today.”
The final of the Miami Open will be held on March 20 and it remains to be seen who will be crowned the champions.
