Joao Fonseca has been waiting for his chance to play on the biggest stages of tennis, and what a way to arrive. The 18-year-old qualifier upset world No.9 Andrey Rublev in straight sets to claim his maiden Grand Slam win.

Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca began his Grand Slam career in spectacular fashion as the qualifier took down Russian ninth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5) in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Russian Andrey Rublev, seeded ninth, was upset by qualifier Joao Fonseca, an 18-year-old from Brazil. He stormed into his Grand Slam main draw debut, stunning Rublev 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-6 (5) in two hours and 23 minutes.

The Brazilian teenager has long been touted as the next big thing in tennis and he proved his supporters right by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals in December - a tournament for top players under the age of 21, which has previously been won by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Ninth seed Andrey Rublev will take on the 2024 Next Gen Finals ... Fonseca will be making his Grand Slam main draw debut, as he won all matches in straight sets in the qualifying round.

Carlos Alcaraz says Joao Fonseca will be on the "list of the best players in the world" after the teenager knocked out ninth seed Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open.

Brazilian tennis prodigy Joao Fonseca, one of the breakout stars of the 2025 Australian Open, has revealed who inspired him to take up the sport.

Ascendant Joao Fonseca, 18, of Brazil, beat No. 9 seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the first round at the Australian Open on Tuesday.

Fearless 18-year-old qualifier Joao Fonseca declared he wants "more and more" after beating ninth seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets on his Grand Slam debut on Tuesday in a major Australian Open shock.

After picking up three consecutive wins to qualify for the Australian Open, Joao Fonseca upset Andrey Rublev in the first round. Fonseca entered the match as the ATP World No. 112 and the heavy underdog.

Rublev could do little to stem the flow of brilliance across the net, with Fonseca winning 7-6(1) 6-3 7-6(5). Read more at straitstimes.com.

Joao Fonseca of Brazil celebrates during Round 1 of the 2025 Australian Open on January 14 2025, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. / IMAGO / Icon Sportswire One of the most hyped young ...