An Incredible Encounter
It was an incredible encounter and one of the best I have seen this year. The match drew parallels with the epic Sinner-Alcaraz Final at the Roland Garros last year, as a young 19-year-old Joao Fonseca challenged the might of Novak Djokovic.
Tennis Was Unvelievable
The quality of tennis was unbelievable. The power was raw, coupled with subtle changes of pace and drop shots. Tennis was at its best. The match actually started when Fonseca began a fight back after losing the first two sets. The young Brazilian won the third, and as the weather cooled, the Tennis was raised to another stratosphere.
The GOAT Was In Command
Novak Djokovic was still in command, and though the GOAT was wearing a bit as the clock ticked, he was winning it for sure. History was against Fonseca, but the youngster started to grow in confidence as his game began to rise and rise.
Fonseca : Forehand Ferocious
Fonseca’s forehand was sensational, and at times, even sensational was an understatement. He ripped incredible forehand winners with amazing power, precision and audacity to take the wind out of Novak’s sails. I have not seen such a ferocious forehand in some time.
In The Blink of An Eye
There was an instant in the 5th set when Novak moved to the net, and Fonseca on the baseline struck a forehand which sped past Novak in the blink of an eye. It was hit so hard that even before Novak realised, the ball had left the court. Fonseca showed glimpses of the Steffi Forehand when she was in her prime.
Fonseca Went For The Jugular, fired 3 Aces to win the Match
Novak began to struggle and was barely able to stand on his feet as the match began to push the 5-hour mark. Even Fonseca was moving gingerly. It was his second consecutive 5-setter in 3 days. But the youngster showed tremendous maturity and mental toughness. He overcame a break in the 5th set, refused to surrender at 1-3, and went on to win 7-5 with three aces in succession.
Novak Gave It All, But Fonseca’s Tenacity Survived
Novak gave it all he had and, for most parts of the match, had his nose in front despite Fonseca’s heroics. But then the young challenger was not leaving the court without a win, and the legend eventually succumbed to the challenger’s tenacity. Fonseca survived and won 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 and moved to the Round of 16, and will play Casper Rudd next, who too fought back from the brink to beat Tommy Paul.
I am still reeling from the Fonseca forehand.
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