Australian Open: Sonego ends Fonseca's dream run in five-set thriller

Joao Fonseca's run at the Australian Open has come to an end after losing in five thrilling sets against Lorenzo Sonego on Thursday.

Fonseca, who stunned world number nine Andrey Rublev on his grand slam debut at Melbourne Park in the first round, was beaten 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 6-1 1-6 6-3 by the Italian.

Backed by a raucous Brazilian contingent on Court 1573, Fonseca took the hour-long opener in the decider, eventually clinching set point at the fourth time of asking.

But Sonego would respond emphatically, breezing through the next two sets to put himself on the brink of a third round clash.

Fonseca, however, ensured the encounter would go the distance, following up his early break with a love service game in his quest to become the youngest South American to reach the men's singles third round at the Australian Open in the Open Era.

Yet Sonego would rally once again, earning a decisive break in the eighth game before serving out the match, with the Brazilian bowing out after a memorable grand slam debut.

See you soon, Joao The best is yet to come... #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/YSI87ho4Ma

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2025

Data Debrief: Dream crusher

Fonseca may leave Melbourne empty-handed, but his displays at the Australian Open have won the hearts of many, with the future looking bright for the talented teenager.

The Brazilian exits the tournament with a record of his own, however, becoming the first teenager to defeat an ATP top 10 opponent in straight sets at a grand slam event since Rublev did so himself against Grigor Dimitrov at the US Open in 2017.

But for Sonego, his run at Melbourne Park goes on. He has now reached a seventh men’s singles third round at a grand slam event, and a second at the Australian Open after 2022.