Fonseca: "I'm not sure how I did it".
Joao Fonseca is the new master of the Next Gen Finals. Winner of all his matches (pool and finals), the Brazilian nugget strung together victories over Arthur Fils (3-4, 4-2, 4-1, 1-4, 4-1), Learner Tien (4-0, 4-0, 1-4, 4-2), Jakub Mensik (3-4, 4-3, 4-3, 3-4, 4-3), Luca Van Assche (4-2, 4-2, 4-1) and Tien again (2-4, 4-3, 4-0, 4-2) to claim the title.
Despite being badly beaten in the final, he managed to find the resources to turn the match around, particularly in the second set, which he snatched in a thriller.
When asked about his victory, Fonseca reflected on this final duel: "I was very nervous before the match. I knew it would be very difficult. I've already played a final against Learner as a junior and I know the way he plays. He's a very nice guy and a very good player. I knew it would be tough mentally and physically.
But I found a way to get through it. Honestly, I don't know how I did in the second set. I was just trying to hold my serve. I didn't play my best at the beginning. I was too nervous. But after I won the 2ᵉ set, I was a different João.
I was more aggressive and went for my shots. I think he was a bit more tense. That's part of the game. In the 4th set, I did my best and won."