Australian Open: Spizzirri stuns ailing Fonseca in debut upset

American Eliot Spizzirri, 24, pulled off one of the opening round’s most significant upsets at Melbourne Park, defeating Brazil’s João Fonseca 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Currently ranked at a career-high world No. 85, Spizzirri’s victory over the 28th seed marks his first-ever win against a top-50 opponent on the Grand Slam stage.

For the former Longhorns star, who dominated the collegiate scene as a two-time ITA National Player of the Year at UT, the win is a resounding validation of his transition to the professional circuit.

The match was defined as much by Spizzirri’s grit as it was by Fonseca’s physical distress. The 19-year-old Brazilian, who entered the match with a perfect 4-0 record in Grand Slam opening rounds, looked a shadow of the player who stunned Andrey Rublev here a year ago.

Fonseca’s doubtful fitness

Dealing with a chronic lower back injury – specifically a stress fracture linked to a congenital “flatback” condition – Fonseca’s movement was visibly compromised. Statistically, his serve was clocking nearly 20km/h slower than his 2025 average, and his trademark aggressive forehand lacked its usual penetration.

Despite a brief second-set resurgence from the Brazilian, Spizzirri took full advantage of the physical disparity in the final two sets. The American displayed the tactical intelligence that made him a legend in Austin, moving the ailing Fonseca side-to-side and clinical finishing points at the net.

The loss marks Fonseca’s first-ever first-round exit at a major, raising concerns about his health as he heads toward his preferred “Golden Swing” on South American clay. Spizzirri, meanwhile, moves into the round of 64 with immense momentum, awaiting the winner of the match between Grigor Dimitrov and Tomas Machac.