The NextGen Masters is over for the French, who will be able to look towards Christmas and take a breather before the new season. Arthur Fils, although the highest ranked and the most exclusive of the eight candidates this year, quickly disappeared from circulation, being eliminated from the initial phase. Luca Van Assche had managed to reach the last four, but his path ended there. Brutally.
Saturday, in the semi-final, the young Habs took a spanking from the hands of Joao Fonseca, quick winner in just one hour and three quick sets, 4-2, 4-2, 4-1. Fonseca definitely likes the French a lot. He revealed himself last February by beating Arthur Fils during the ATP 500 tournament in Rio de Janeiro. This week, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where these Next Gen Finals are being held, he once again dominated the 20th player in the world.
37 years between them
On Saturday, he did it again against Van Assche. “On a fast surface, I play at a very high level, estimated the Brazilian, 145th in the world, on the court after the matchours. I'm very proud of myself and how I stayed very focused all week, on my routine and my game. I'm here with my family, with my three coaches, it's really nice and I hope that I could win the title.” Born in 2006, Joao Fonseca belongs to the “Next-Next-Next-Gen”, but he does indeed display certain potential.
On Sunday, the two protagonists will be… 37 years old between them. Novak Djokovic's age. Learner Tien (122nd in the ATP), aged 19, won in the first half the 100% American duel which pitted him against Alex Michelsen (41st in the world) for a place in the final of the Next Generation tournament, the Masters of under 22 years old. Tien turned the match around to win 2-4, 4-2, 1-4, 4-0 4-1 in 1 hour 39 minutes. The young American defeated Arthur Fils on Friday to reach the semi-finals.
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