Joao Fonseca charges way into Next Gen ATP Finals

Field Level Media|published: Fri 20th December, 19:52 2024

Jul 31, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Luca Van Assche (FRA) hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Eighth-seeded Joao Fonseca of Brazil had 11 aces and saved four of five break points while posting a 3-4 (4), 4-3 (8), 4-3 (5), 3-4 (4), 4-3 (5) victory over third-seeded Jakub Mensik of the Czech Republic in the Next Gen ATP Finals on Friday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Fonseca went 3-0 in Blue Group play to advance to the semifinals. He will face Luca Van Assche of France on Saturday.

Mensik had 22 aces in defeat.

The sixth-seeded Van Assche was a 3-4 (2), 4-3 (7), 4-2, 4-2 victor over seventh-seeded American Nishesh Basavareddy to claim the No. 2 spot in the Red Group.

Also Friday, American Learner Tien, the fifth seed, produced a 4-2, 4-2, 3-4 (4), 4-3 (5) victory over top seed Arthur Fils of France. Second-seeded American Alex Michelsen was up 4-1, 1-1 when fourth-seeded Shang "Jerry" Juncheng of China retired due to illness, letting Michelsen win the Red Group. Michelsen and Tien will face each other Saturday.

--Field Level Media

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