Fonseca fends off Djere to reach first ATP final in Buenos Aires
Playing in his first ATP semi-final, Joao Fonseca outlasted Laslo Djere in three sets on Saturday. Fonseca awaits either Francisco Cerundolo or Pedro Martinez.
Novak Djokovic beat Jaime Faria 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday and will face No 26 seed Tomas Machac in the next round
Joao Fonseca battled past qualifier Laslo Djere 7-6 (3), 5-7, 6-1 to advance to the final of the Argentina Open at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club on Saturday afternoon.
Fonseca served for victory at 5-3 in the second and then had a match point with Djere serving at 4-5, 30-40. Djere saved it by winning a long baseline rally, held for 5-5, broke easily for 6-5 and then served it out one game later. Although the 18-year-old seemed to be dealing with an abdominal issue, it was all Fonseca the rest of the way.
“(It’s) really special,” Fonseca assured. “Today was really difficult, against a really good player. He went through qualies, so he’s playing amazing tennis. We already knew how Laslo can play, he won an ATP 500 [in 2019]. So, I played my best. Today was with my heart. Today was with pain. And we got through. There is one match to go, so let’s go for it.”
In his first ATP title match, Fonseca will face either Argentina’s own Francisco Cerundolo, the No 5 seed, or Spaniard Pedro Martinez.
The Brazilian’s run also includes wins over three Argentines: Tomas Martin Etcheverry, the No 8 seed (6-3, 6-3), lucky loser Federico Coria (2-6, 6-4, 6-2) and Mariano Navone (3-6, 6-4, 7-5).
It was still a productive event for the 112th-ranked Djere, who beat Frenchman Alexandre Muller (6-3, 6-3), fourth-seeded Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (2)) and Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild (7-6 (3), 6-3).
Buenos Aires ATP 250, other semi-final result:
- Francisco Cerundolo vs. Pedro Martinez Portero
