BRAZILIAN TEENAGER JOAO Fonseca knocked Novak Djokovic out in the third round of the French Open on Friday to scupper the Serbian great’s latest quest for a record 25th Grand Slam.
The 19-year-old Fonseca rallied from two sets down for the second straight match to stun Djokovic, winning 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 after four hours and 53 minutes.
Djokovic’s exit comes a day after the shock elimination of world number one and red-hot title favourite Jannik Sinner.
It means there will be a first-time men’s Grand Slam champion this year at the French Open, ending a run of nine successive majors won by Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz.
Fonseca, the 28th seed, is through to the last 16 of a major for the first time. He will next play two-time Roland Garros runner-up Casper Ruud or American 24th seed Tommy Paul.
Asked how he kept believing after falling behind, Fonseca replied: “I actually didn’t.
“I just kept playing. I just enjoyed being on court. What a pleasure it was stepping on court with him (Djokovic) for the first time.
“I was trying to hit the ball as fast as I could. Djokovic, he does not miss.”
More to follow.
Written by AFP and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.