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Joao Fonseca hits milestone at Indian Wells after dominant win over Tommy Paul
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- Joao Fonseca hits milestone at Indian Wells after dominant win over Tommy Paul
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca has reached the last 16 of a Masters 1000 event for the first time after defeating Tommy Paul in straight sets at Indian Wells.
The 19-year-old produced a dominant display to beat the American 6-2, 6-3 on the stadium court, continuing one of the most impressive breakthrough runs of the tournament.
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Journalist Jose Morgado highlighted the milestone for the rising Brazilian star, whose performances in California have combined resilience and attacking tennis as he continues to build momentum on the ATP Tour.
João Fonseca reaches first Masters 1000 last 16 after Tommy Paul win
Photo by William WEST / AFP via Getty Images
Fonseca secured the biggest Masters result of his career with a convincing victory over Paul, needing just one hour and 22 minutes to seal his place in the fourth round.
The teenager has now lost just one set in three matches during his Indian Wells campaign, showing both consistency and maturity against experienced opponents.
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His most dramatic moment came earlier in the tournament when he produced a remarkable comeback against Karen Khachanov in the round of 64.
Fonseca saved two match points in that match before turning the contest around, a victory that proved to be a key turning point in his run.
The Brazilian then carried that momentum into the clash with Paul, which he dominated from the baseline.
Jannik Sinner awaits João Fonseca in the next round
Fonseca's reward for the breakthrough run is a meeting with world number two Jannik Sinner in the fourth round at Indian Wells.
The match will mark the first time the two players have faced each other on the ATP Tour.
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Sinner arrives as one of the leading players in men's tennis and one of the favourites for the title, setting up the biggest test of Fonseca's young career so far.
Despite being the underdog, Fonseca has a stat in his favour: according to the ATP Tour, he is 7-1 against Top 30 players since September 2025.
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