BRAZILIAN wunderkind Joao Fonseca has become the fourth youngest ATP Tour title winner in the 21st century – and 10th youngest in history – after lifting the trophy aloft at the Argentina Open overnight. The 17-year-old won 6-4 7-6, beating local hope Francisco Cerundolo in the Buenos Aires decider to also become the youngest South American to win an ATP Tour title since 1990.

“Unbelievable week, even in Argentina there are some Brazilians cheering for me,” Fonseca said post-match. “That’s just amazing. Every Brazilian, everyone from their country wants this support from your own country. For me, this [moment] that I’m living is just unbelievable.

“I want to thank my family, my friends and my sponsors for just helping me achieve my dream, which is to play tennis. Of course I want to be No. 1, of course I want to win Slams, titles, but my dream is just to play tennis, and I’m living it.”

Fonseca had two chances to serve for the match which he failed to do so, but stepped up in the second set tiebreaker to dominate it 7-1 for the overall 6-4 7-6 victory in an hour and 49 minutes. The Brazilian teenager hit 28 winners to 15, with both players committing 40 unforced errors. He also won 73 per cent of his first serve points compared to the fifth seeded Argentinian’s 53 per cent.

In the end, Fonseca’s ability to break four times to three was the difference, particularly in taking out the first set then holding firm after those couple of setbacks in the second set. The victory resulted in the youngster rising up 31 spots from just inside the Top 100 to 68th in the world, as well as 13th in the ATP Live Race.

Humbert in seventh heaven

FRENCHMAN Ugo Humbert secured another ATP Tour title, keeping his incredible record in deciders going and moving to 7-1 in his career. The Frenchman was able to win on home soil in his latest victory, defeating talented young Serbian Hamad Medjedovic 7-6 6-4 in the Open 13 Provence final overnight.

Humbert took an hour and 42 minutes to get the win, serving 13 aces without a double fault for a total of 30 winners and 27 unforced errors. He forced 14 errors off the Serbian’s backhand in the process, with Medjedovic contributing a further 15 unforced errors off that wing.

A break in the third game had everything set for the local chance to close out the first set, but Medjedovic fought hard to break just as Humbert was serving for the set to force a tiebreaker. It delayed the inevitable though as the second seed won the tiebreaker, 7-4.

The second set went the way of the server each and every time for the first nine matches, though after holding to love to level as 4-4, Medjedovic lost the last eight points of the match for Humbert to secure the match rather comfortably in that set.

“It wasn’t easy because he played really, really good, but I’m super happy to have my title back,” Humbert said of winning another Marseille title. “I’m so proud of it, [it’s] maybe the best [title] because I was a little bit stressed at the beginning of the tournament. With a title to defend, it was not easy to manage, but I’m super proud of it.

“It means a lot to me because it’s in France. It’s so nice to be back in Marseille. I love to play here. The fans were so good, they gave me the energy to win all four matches, so thanks to them.”

Kecmanovic saves match points in Delray Beach comeback

SERBIAN Miomir Kecmanovic has snapped a five-year ATP Tour title drought by denying Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina a maiden Tour trophy. Despite being on the ropes midway through the third set, Kecmanovic found a way to victory and record title number two.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Spaniard Davidovich Fokina, as he let slip what looked like a comfortable Delray Beach final, and instead missed out on winning his maiden ATP Tour title. The eighth seed had enjoyed a really strong tournament in Delray Beach, and had two match points at 5-2 40-15 up.

Unfortunately he failed to break, but then was broken and back on serve, then had to watch as Kecmanovic stormed home to win the last five games of the match and win 3-6 6-1 7-5 in two hours and 10 minutes.

Kecmanovic served eight aces among 30 winners, and though that number was four less than Davidovich Fokina’s winners count, the Serbian also hit 11 less unforced errors (41-52). He won 68 and 57 per cent of his first and second serve points as well, and was able to secure a lot of cheap points (winning 70/119 with six shots or less).

Both players re-enter the Top 50 after their runs to the final, with Kecmanovic’s title seeing him move to 47th in the world, while Davidovich Fokina has landed right in 50th from the near miss finals appearance. The win was Kecmanovic’s second in his career, and he has recorded a win-loss record of 12-5 for the 2025 season.

“It feels unbelievable to win after losing two finals before and then down 5-2, match points. It was an amazing feeling and I’m so proud of myself,” Kecmanovic said post-match.

“It’s an unbelievable week,” he added. “I’ve worked so hard, I’ve done everything I could right. It didn’t happen for a long time, but I kept believing and I’m so happy to finally win another title.”