ATP Tour

Fonseca earns first grass-court win, sets Fritz clash in Eastbourne

Joao Fonseca recorded his first tour-level grass-court win on Monday at the Lexus Eastbourne Open, where he moved past Zizou Bergs 6-7(8), 6-0, 6-3 to reach the second round.

Competing in windy conditions, the #NextGenATP Brazilian recovered from squandering three set points in the first set to triumph after two hours and 10 minutes. With his 13th tour-level win of the season, the 18-year-old became the youngest match winner at the ATP 250 since three-time champion Taylor Fritz in 2015.

First ATP Tour win on grass 🙌

Fonseca comes back from a set down to defeat Bergs 6-7 6-0 6-3 in Eastbourne!@the_LTA | #LexusEastbourneOpen pic.twitter.com/alYcrVPOl6

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 23, 2025

“I am very happy to win my first match on grass, here in Eastbourne, in such a nice place and against a very good player,” Fonseca said. “After a tough tie-break, getting through mentally is very good. I am very happy for this one.”

Fonseca, who was competing in his third tour-level grass-court match, will meet top seed Fritz in the second round. The World No. 57 produced moments of magic against Bergs, highlighted by his stunning pickup to break for 4-2 in the third set. Fonseca will hope to bring that level against World No. 5 Fritz in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting.

British wild card Daniel Evans defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 and Italian Mattia Bellucci beat Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-2. Evans next faces Tommy Paul and Bellucci meets Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Cameron Norrie.