Joao Fonseca has reached the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals on debut after beating Matteo Berrettini on Thursday.
Fonseca, ranked 40th on the ATP Tour, comfortably defeated the former Wimbledon finalist 6-3, 6-2.
In the quarter-finals, Fonseca will play world number three Alexander Zverev.
Is Joao Fonseca the greatest threat to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in Monte Carlo?
He’s qualified for his first career Masters 1000 QF!
It was a particularly impressive performance by Fonseca, who wowed the Monegasque crowd with some incredible shot-making.
The Brazilian’s power has never been in question, and it now seems he possesses one of the best shots on the ATP Tour.
Joao Fonseca’s forehand is comparable to that of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
It is no understatement to claim that Fonseca’s forehand has become comparable to Carlos Alcaraz’s and Jannik Sinner’s.
This was demonstrated throughout the contest against Berrettini, as Fonseca dictated proceedings through the use of his forehand.
In fact, Fonseca hit over 10 forehand winners during the match, and did not hit a single backhand winner.
The Brazilian’s forehand was so powerful that in spite of the slow Monte Carlo surface, he was still hitting unreturnable groundstrokes.
At one point during the match, Fonseca hit a stunning 105mph forehand winner, much to the bemusement of Berrettini.
Speaking about his forehand after the match, Fonseca said: “I was feeling good today, even when I was defending or attacking, I was feeling the ball good and he was deep.
“Like I said, I was putting pressure on him, so yeah, my forehand was a good weapon today.
Will Joao Fonseca be the man to break up Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s dominance?
If not, who will be?
If Fonseca can continue to hit his forehand in such a manner, there is no reason why he cannot rise to the very top of the ATP Tour.
Alexander Zverev previews his match against Joao Fonseca
Alexander Zverev, who defeated Zizou Bergs on Thursday, will face Joao Fonseca for the very first time on Friday.
After beating Bergs 6-2, 7-5, the German world number three discussed his upcoming contest with Fonseca.
“I think clay is his best surface,” Zverev said on Tennis TV. “He’s won Buenos Aires, he’s played well on this surface before.
“So I’m excited to play him for the very first time. He’s a very young up and coming talent for sure.
“I think we’re going to play each other a lot more over the next couple of years.”
The winner of Fonseca and Zverev will play Felix Auger-Aliassime or Jannik Sinner in the Monte Carlo semi-finals.
Auger-Aliassime defeated Casper Ruud on Thursday, while Sinner came through a tough three-set contest against Tomas Machac.