Joao Fonseca will get his shot against Novak Djokovic.
The first-ever showdown between opponents 20 years apart in age will take place in round three of the French Open on Friday. It is a matchup featuring a 24-time Grand Slam champion and a rising star who still has a long way to go before realistically winning one — but is certainly tipped to do so at some point.
Fonseca may not have to wait long at all, however, to take down this version of Djokovic. After all, the 39-year-old plays sparingly these days and you can never be sure what kind of level he will bring to the court. That being said, Djokovic can never be discounted at majors. The world No. 4 has reached the semifinals at each of the last five slams, although he needed some good fortune in the form of a Lorenzo Musetti injury to make it that far in Melbourne earlier this season.
Djokovic opened at Roland Garros with four-set victories over Frenchmen Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Valentin Royer. Fonseca disposed of French qualifier Luka Pavlovic 7-6(6), 6-4, 6-2 and then came back from two sets down to defeat Dino Prizmic on Wednesday evening. Keep in mind that it was Prizmic who beat Djokovic in Rome — the Serb’s only match on this clay-court swing prior to his arrival in Paris.
“It’s just a big pleasure,” Fonseca said of facing Djokovic. “I always talk to my coach, like, ‘I want to be in Novak’s draw, because I know [the chance is] not going to last too much (longer). I just want to have this experience in my life.
“I think I’m just going to enjoy it. I mean, being in (the) Roland Garros third round, for me it’s just a dream. I’m going to enjoy every moment playing against an idol, the GOAT of the sport. Yeah, hopefully I can [play] a great match. Of course, stepping on the court I’m going to respect him — but trying to [do] my best and win.”
The 19-year-old Brazilian definitely has a chance to win and it would be surprising if he doesn’t at least make it competitive. After all, Fonseca has not lost in straight sets this entire season to anyone other than Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Overall, though, Djokovic remains a force at Grand Slams and — even a year away from 40 — would have the physical and mental edge in a long match.
Pick: Djokovic in 5