Buse silences Rio to stun home favorite Fonseca to reach the quarter finals
Ignacio Buse edged out Joao Fonseca 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday night. He’ll play the winner of the match between Italian Matteo Berrettini and Serb Dusan Lajovic in the next round
Joao Fonseca, Rio de Janeiro 2026 | © Renan Areias Renan Areias/SPP/Shutterstock/SIPA
Match between Joao Fonseca vs Ignacio Buse, held at the Jockey Club Brasileiro
Joao Fonseca v Ignacio Buse, Rio Open ATP 500, Tennis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 19 Feb 2026/shutterstock_editorial_Joao_Fonseca_v_Ignacio_Buse_Ri_16685213i//2602200350
Peruvian talent Ignacio Buse produced a display of remarkable poise on Friday night, upsetting third-seeded Brazilian Joao Fonseca 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the quarter finals of the Rio Open presented by Claro.
The 21-year-old world No 91 silenced a partisan Jockey Club Brasileiro crowd to secure the most significant victory of his burgeoning career.
Despite dropping a competitive opening set to the world No 38, Buse remained undeterred. The turning point arrived in the third set when the Peruvian secured a decisive break in the third game to lead 2-1. His mental fortitude was most evident at 5-3, when he stared down three consecutive break points at 0-40.
Buse so strong under pressure
Amidst vocal interruptions from the local spectators between his first and second serves, Buse reeled off five straight points to hold serve and eventually close out the match after two hours and 13 minutes.
While Buse is a relatively new name to the wider tennis public, his rise has been steady since he broke into the world’s top 100 on January 5, 2026. A former world No 9 junior, the Lima native trains in Barcelona and counts 2002 Roland-Garros champion Albert Costa among his mentors.
His background is as unique as his game; Buse is the nephew of world-renowned chef Gaston Acurio and the grandson of Eduardo Buse, whose name graces the Davis Cup stadium in Lima.
“special”
“It’s so tough and special to play Fonseca here,” Buse said following the victory. “He has a great future. We are good friends and I wish him all the best.”
For Fonseca, the defeat is a bitter blow in front of his home fans. The 19-year-old Brazilian had entered the match in strong form after a convincing win over Thiago Monteiro, but he struggled with his conviction during the match’s critical moments.
Buse moves into the final four where he will face Italian Matteo Berrettini, who advanced earlier in the day.
Rio de Janeiro, round of 16 results
T. Tirante – F. Cerundolo (1): 6-2, 6-1
A. Tabilo – F. Passaro (LL): 4-6, 7-6[0], 6-2
I. Buse – J. Fonseca (3): 5-7, 6-3, 6-4
M. Berrettini – D. Lajovic (LL): 3-6, 6-4, 6-2
T. Etcheverry (8) – V. Gaubas (Q): 7-6[1], 6-4
J. Faria (LL) – D. Dzumhur: 7-6[1], 6-4
V. Kopriva – R. Burruchaga: 6-3, 6-1
J. Cerundolo – Y. Hanfmann: 6-4, 6-7[1], 6-4
QUARTER FINALS SCHEDULE
Alejandro Tabilo – Thiago Tirante: Friday (to be played)
Matteo Berrettini – Ignacio Buse: Friday (to be played)
Tomas Martin Etcheverry (8) – Jaime Faria (LL): Friday (to be played)
Vit Kopriva – Juan Manuel Cerundolo: Friday (to be played)
