Fonseca, Sinner are only Next Gen ATP Finals champions to win ensuing event

Joao Fonseca is enjoying the form of his life.

Just 13 days removed from his triumph at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, the Brazilian returned to the winner's circle Saturday at the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event in Canberra, Australia. Fonseca downed American Ethan Quinn 6-4, 6-4 in the Workday Canberra International final, extending his match winning streak to 10.

Only one other past Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion won his next event at any level: Jannik Sinner, currently No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The Italian won the Ortisei Challenger the week after lifting the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF crown in 2019.

Dec. 22 👉 Next Gen ATP Finals
Jan. 4 👉 Canberra Challenger

With 10 straight wins and two titles, what an incredible three weeks it's been for Joao Fonseca! 🔥#OnTheRise | @nextgenfinals pic.twitter.com/eMGkUfXYvZ

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) January 4, 2025

Following Fonseca’s triumph, the Brazilian is up 32 spots to No. 113 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, a vast improvement upon where he was 12 months ago at World No. 730. The #NextGenATP star turned pro in February, shortly after his dream run in Rio de Janeiro, where backed by home support, Fonseca became the second-youngest ATP 500 quarter-finalist since the series began in 2009.

The teenager’s first Challenger title came in August, when he triumphed in Lexington, Kentucky to become the youngest Brazilian champion at that level. Fonseca was dominant en route to both Challenger title runs, not dropping a set in either Lexington or Canberra. Sinner also won the Lexington Challenger title the same year he was crowned champion at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF.

In other Challenger action Saturday, Japan’s Shintaro Mochizuki began his season in style, claiming the BNC Tennis Open in Noumea, New Caledonia. The 21-year-old defeated Moerani Bouzige 6-1, 6-3 in the final to win his second Challenger title and first on hard courts. Mochizuki is up to No. 170 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

^{Shintaro Mochizuki at the BNC Tennis Open. Credit: Sky Prod Photography}

Aslan Karatsev did not drop a set en route to winning the Bangkok Open 1. The former World No. 14 ousted second-seeded Frenchman Gregoire Barrere 7-6(5), 7-5 in the final, securing his fourth Challenger title and first since August 2020.

“I had a tough year in 2024, I got injured at the beginning of the year in Brisbane,” Karatsev reflected. “It takes me a while to get back. We worked a lot with the team on the recovery, we made a good preparation. Of course, [winning] the first tournament of the year gives you some confidence, having matches already. You just have to keep pushing.”

^{Aslan Karatsev in action at the Bangkok Open 1. Credit: The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand}