Australian Open: Joao Fonseca says his expectations are changing to ‘championship mentality’ | Tennis news

18-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca says his Australian Open expectations are “changing to a champion mentality” following his straight sets win over ninth seed Andrey Rublev.

The highly-rated teenager knocked out Rublev 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-6 (7-5) on Tuesday, showing off his immense talent and incredibly quick forehand.

The Rio de Janeiro native is the hottest young property in men’s tennis after winning the Next Gen ATP Finals.

Asked if his expectations had changed since the rest of the tournament, Fonseca – who faces Italy’s Lorenzo Sonega in the second round – admitted they had.

“When I came here, my first goal was to get into the main draw. Of course, now my expectations are higher. I want more and more. I think that’s the mentality of a champion.

“I’m very happy with the way I played today with the win, but I’m already thinking about the next match. It will be a good one against a very good player.”

Fonseca disagreed with claims that he is the favorite against Rublev.

“I knew the pressure was coming. Like I said, everything was new for me, but for me I wasn’t the favorite. I’m 18 years old, he’s a guy in the top 10. I’m going to do my best here.

“Of course, I’m confident. I know I can win, but without putting pressure on myself. That’s what I was trying to do. The nerves came, but mentally I stayed.”

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev smashed a webcam in a fit of rage during a five-set win over world number 418 Kasidit Samrej.

Medvedev, a finalist in Melbourne 12 months ago, arrived in Australia late after the birth of his second child and was in deep trouble against the Thai wild card.

When the 23-year-old won the third set to go two sets to one, the fifth seed Medvedev repeatedly hit the middle of the net with his racket, destroying the camera attached there.

But like American teenager Nishesh Bavareddy, who handled Novak Djokovic on Monday, Samrej began to struggle physically and Medvedev fought back to win 6-2 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-2.

“I know I play better when I play more tennis,” said the Russian. “Why play for one hour 30? Minimum three hours.

“Second and third set, I couldn’t touch the ball. Full power, all in. I didn’t know what to do. If he plays like this every match, his life can be good. Money, girls, casino.”

Samrej earned his wild card by winning the Asia-Pacific Wild Card Play-off, while warming up for his Grand Slam debut by training with Djokovic in Thailand last month.

Medvedev struggled during the second half of last season, but hopes the newest member of his family will spark a change in fortunes with wife Daria, who gives birth to the couple’s second child days before the Australian Open.

“It just gives me good energy,” he said. “At the end of last year, this match, I probably would have lost it. New year, new energy, at least for now. I’m happy to win this match.”

Holger’s rune also needed five sets to get past China’s Zhang Zhizhen, while another match that went the distance saw the veteran Gael Monfils won the battle of the French against his young compatriot Giovanni Mpetshi Perricardo.

Mpetshi Perricard is one of the hottest young prospects on the tour and has sent down the fastest serve of the tournament so far at 144.2 miles per hour.

But Monfils, who became the oldest winner of an ATP Tour singles title in Auckland this weekend, triumphed 7-6 (7) 6-3 6-7 (6) 6-7 (5) 6-4.

“I don’t really look my age,” Monfils said. “It’s just a number. Then I try to avoid thinking about it, but I can tell you tomorrow morning I’ll be more like 48 than 38.”

Fourth seed Taylor Fritz had a much easier time, beating American Jenson Brooksby 6-2 6-0 6-3, while Ben Shelton beat Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7-3) 7-5 7-5 in a tight All-American clash to secure his first win of 2025.

Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and through The Sky Sports app.