Joao Fonseca saves 2 MPs, downs Karen Khachanov

Indian Wells

Fonseca saves 2 MPs amid electric Indian Wells atmosphere

Brazilian downs 16th seed Khachanov, next faces Paul

ATP Tour

Joao Fonseca is the second-youngest man to reach the Indian Wells third round this decade, only behind Carlos Alcaraz. By Grant Thompson

Joao Fonseca earned a memorable win Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open, where he saved two match points to down 16th seed Karen Khachanov 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4.

In front of an electric Stadium 3 crowd, full of Brazilian supporters bursting into song that resembled a football match, Fonseca displayed his shotmaking ability and fighting spirit to stay alive in Indian Wells. The 19-year-old is the second-youngest man to reach the Indian Wells third round this decade, only behind an 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in 2022.

“Those are the victories we work for, saving a match point,” Fonseca said in his on-court interview. “The first months of the year were a little tough, getting the rhythm and getting back from injury. [Today was] a great match against a great player. I’m very happy with the way that I fought. I know how experienced he is and after a tough second set, I got an early break in the third. This victory means a lot.”

Facing two consecutive match points at 4/6 in the second-set tie-break, Fonseca saved the first by blasting a forehand second-serve return, which drew a backhand error from Khachanov. Fonseca then served at 5/6, nailing an Ad-side ace down the T.

“I made a good return and then after I served well, so I started believing," Fonseca said. "I’m just very happy with the way that I fought. The third set I played really well, so I’m very happy.”

Fonseca rode his momentum from there, earning a double-break lead in the early stages of the decider. Behind his 32 winners, Fonseca eventually avenged his 2025 Rolex Paris Masters loss to Khachanov, improving to 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The Brazilian will next look to earn similar revenge on American Tommy Paul, who beat the teenager in Madrid last year.

The No. 35 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Fonseca arrived in California with a 1-3 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. His victory against Khachanov marks his sixth Top 20 win of his young career.

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