Joao Fonseca becomes youngest match winner at French Open after this Grand Slam winner following his first-round win

Brazilian teen, Joao Fonseca, made a victorious debut in Paris, beating Hubert Hurkacz in French Open 2025.

Joao Fonseca continues to deliver in his French Open debut. The unseeded Brazilian overcame Wimbledon semi-finalist Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 40 minutes. The Rio native, at 18 years and 9 months, is the youngest player to register a win at the clay-court major since 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2021. 

In an opening round battle between two big servers, Fonseca came out on top. The Brazilian fired nine aces to six by Hurkacz, besides converting five breakpoint opportunities against the 6’5” Pole. Hurkacz recently made the finals of the 2025 Geneva Open, and his round of 16 appearances in 2022 and 2024 represents his best results in Paris. 

Spectators filled the 1500-capacity Court No. 7 as Brazilian fans thronged to watch Fonseca take on Hurkacz. The 18-year-old from Rio de Janeiro scored his maiden ATP title at the Argentina Open in February by defeating home hope Francisco Cerundolo in the finals. 

Fonseca will look to emulate his countryman and three-time French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten, the first Brazilian to lift the trophy at Roland Garros in 1997. Kuerten went on to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires two more times in 2000 and 2001.

Also Read: Who is Joao Fonseca? Meet the 10th youngest champion in ATP Tour history

The Brazilian World No #65 will next take on French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round. Should Fonseca progress to the third round, he may face Briton Jack Draper for the second time this season following their meeting at Indian Wells earlier this year.

Draper faces the age-defying Gael Monfils in the second round. Monfils was staring at a defeat but scripted a comeback from two sets down to win 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), 6-1, against Hugo Dellien. Monfils celebrated his 40th match win at Roland Garros and is tied with Yannick Noah for the most victories by Frenchmen in the Open Era at the event. 

Fonseca is up eight places in the ATP Live Rankings to No #57 and looks all set to return to the top 60 when the revised rankings come out next week.

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