This match feels like a harbinger of the future, with both youngsters making considerable gains this season.
2025 ATP Tour
Masters 1000
Miami Open
Miami Gardens, Florida (Outdoor Hardcourt)
Selected Round of 128 Matches- 20th March
Learner Tien 2.2 vs Joao Fonesca 0.34
This match feels like a harbinger of the future, with both youngsters making considerable gains this season. This also happens to be a rematch of last year’s NextGen Finals (won in four sets by
Fonesca). 19-year-old American Learner Tien has been one of the breakout stars in this early portion of the season. The lefty created some waves in Melbourne, becoming the youngest man to reach the 4th round of the Aussie Open since Rafa Nadal in 2005. He would also go to reach the quarterfinals in Acapulco. He seems tactically astute for his age, using that lefty serve to take players out of position. He is an all-court player with deceptive power (particularly on that backhand wing). He disappointed in the slower Indian Wells conditions, eliminated in the first round by Mariano Navone. He will welcome these quicker conditions (which are far more analogous to those found at Melbourne).
18-year-old Joao Fonesca looks like he could be the best thing to happen to Brazilian tennis since Gustavo Kuerten. Fonesca has enjoyed a meteoric rise over the past five months and will be looking to consolidate his position on tour this season. He ended last season in fine style, becoming the lowest ranked player to ever win the NextGen Finals. He successfully transferred that form into 2025, winning the Canberra Challenger to kick off the campaign. He then produced one of the shocks of the Aussie Open, taking out Andrey Rublev in his first-round clash. He went down in five sets to Sonego in an epic 2nd round clash. He showcased his versatility in his very next event, winning his maiden ATP Tour title in Buenos Aires. He fell off the pace in his following events but bounced back to win the Phoenix Challenger last weekend. Fonesca reminds me of a mini Sinner: he has a lithe build but packs plenty of punch into his serve and groundstrokes. He is particularly impressive off that forehand wing and his backhand down the line is a joy to behold.
The Verdict: Tien to win in straight sets at 4.8- Fonesca leads the head-to-head 2-0, twice defeating the American during last year’s NextGen Finals. Sure, Fonesca will be buoyed by that Challenger triumph in Phoenix. But Tien has enjoyed the more successful tour-level hardcourt campaign. He is growing with every match and will enjoy fanatical home support this week. I can see his lefty serve putting pressure on Fonesca’s comparatively weaker backhand side.
