Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca played an exhibition match at LoanDepot Park in Miami. Two young stars provided a thriller, with world no. 1 prevailing 7-5, 2-6, 10-8 after overcoming a 5-0 deficit in the match tie break.
Both players held at love at the beginning of the duel. Carlos stepped in on the return at 2-2 and secured a break at love after Joao's loose drop shot attempt. Fonseca pulled it back in the next one after an entertaining point and a winner at the net.
The teenager netted a backhand in the 11th game, losing serve and falling 6-5 behind. The Spaniard squandered a couple of set points in game 12 before finally closing the first part of the duel after 49 minutes.
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Joao saved a break point at the start of the second set and held with a forehand winner. He broke in game two to move in front and drew Alcaraz's mistake in the next one to confirm the lead and move 3-0 in front.
The younger player made another push on the return in game four and landed a crafty drop shot winner for a break at love and a 4-0 lead. The Brazilian closed the fifth game with a service winner and moved closer to a bagel.
Carlos held in the sixth game and pulled one break back in the next one to prolong the battle. Joao made another push on the return at 5-2, providing a break and forcing a decider after an hour and 17 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2025 © Stream screenshot
The 19-year-old gained a boost and raced 5-0 up in the match tie break. Alcaraz missed a routine backhand and fell 6-3 behind. World no. 1 kept his focus and erased the deficit, firing a forehand crosscourt winner in the 12th point for 6-6.
Carlos drew Joao's error for 7-6 and landed a volley winner in the next one to extend his streak. The six-time Major winner painted a forehand winner for 9-6 and three match points.
He converted the last after the rival's backhand down the line mistake, moving over the top after an hour and 29 minutes.
