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Fonseca captures Argentina Open title in landmark moment / Photo: © AFP
Fonseca captures Argentina Open title in landmark moment
Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca became the 10th youngest champion in ATP Tour history when he swept past home hope Francisco Cerundolo in the final of the Argentina Open on Sunday.
The 18-year-old, ranked 99 in the world and playing in his first tour-level final, came through 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) against his 28th-ranked opponent.
Fonseca twice unsuccessfully served for the match but regrouped to claim victory in the tie-break in a frenzied atmosphere in Buenos Aires.
The 2024 ATP NextGen champion is also the youngest male player from South America to win a tour title.
His victory will also see him rise to 68 when the new rankings are released on Monday.
Cerundolo, seeking his fourth career title, was broken in the seventh game of the first set and fought off Fonseca when the teenager served for the trophy at 5-4 and 6-5 in the second.
However, the Brazilian impressively held his nerve in the tie-break and celebrated his triumph by collapsing in joy on the clay surface.
F.Cha--SG
