NINTH seed Andrey Rublev has been bundled out of the Australian Open after a first round defeat to teen wildcard Joao Fonseca. The 18-year-old blasted 51 winners en route a stunning 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 upset, holding his nerve in a pair of tiebreakers and converting two of 10 break opportunities.

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Fonseca, buoyed by strong Brazilian support, stunted the usually belligerent Rublev with power hitting on both sides. It was the world number 112’s 14th consecutive victory across all levels, and marked success in his very first meeting against a top 10 opponent.

“I just enjoyed the moment,” Fonseca said post-match. “This is an amazing court, it’s my first time playing in a huge stadium. I really want to thank this amazing crowd. There were a lot of Brazilians here cheering for me.”

A rampant first set tiebreak saw Fonseca claim it 7-1 having previously saved a break point in the eighth game. It set the tone for the second set, which saw the Brazilian race 3-0 ahead. It would end up being the most decisive set of the match at 6-3.

Frustration began to show for the notoriously fiery Rublev during the third set tiebreak, as he flung his racquet having fallen 4-0 behind. Despite recovering to 5-5, a pair of winners sealed the remarkable result and a dream Grand Slam debut for Fonseca.

On a day where all the first round action was completed, veteran Gael Monfils joined Fonseca in defying his age – at the other end of the spectrum. The 38-year-old downed fellow Frenchman and 30th seed Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4 in a five-set slog which lasted nearly four hours.

Having recently taken out his 13th tour title in Auckland, Monfils weathered his big-serving opponent and gave up no break point chances throughout the match. The result meant Mpetshi-Perricard joined Rublev as one of four seeds to fall on day three.

Alexei Popyrin [25] was another, going down to Corentin Moutet 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Top local hope and eighth seed Alex de Minaur also remains in the hunt after his straight sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp, while Rinky Hijikata bowed out in the same manner to American qualifier Mitchell Krueger.

Top 10ers Daniil Medvedev [5] and Taylor Fritz [4] also progressed yesterday, though the former needed all five sets to account for Thai wildcard Kasidit Samrej. The latter had it easier against American compatriot Jenson Brooksby, winning 6-2, 6-0, 6-3.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN MEN’S RESULTS: DAY THREE

D. Medvedev [5] def. K. Samrej [WC] 6-2, 4-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
A. de Minaur [8] def. B. van de Zandschulp 6-1, 7-5, 6-4
H. Rune [13] def. Z. Zhang 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4
J. Fonseca [Q] def. A. Rublev [9] 7-6, 6-3, 7-6
M. Berrettini def. C. Norrie 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3
L. Musetti [16] def. M. Arnaldi 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-3
H. Hurkacz [18] def. T. Griekspoor 7-5, 6-4, 6-4
B. Shelton [21] def. B. Nakashima 7-6, 7-5, 7-5
G. Monfils def. G. Mpetshi Perricard [30] 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 6-4
M. Krueger [Q] def. R. Hijikata 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
M. Kecmanovic def. D. Lajovic 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3
D. Shapovalov def. R. Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 7-6
C. Garin [Q] def. B. Coric 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
L. Sonego def. S. Wawrinka [WC] 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5
K. Khachanov [19] def. A. Mannarino 7-6, 6-3, 6-3
T. Etcheverry def. F. Cobolli [32] 6-7, 6-3, 7-5, 6-1
L. Tien [Q] def. C. Ugo Carabelli 4-6, 7-6, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4
P. Carreno Busta def. K. Majchrzak [Q] 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
G. Diallo def. L. Nardi 6-7, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2
M. Giron def. Y. Hanfmann 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 7-5
F. Cerundolo [31] def. A. Bublik 7-6, 6-3, 6-2
T. Boyer [Q] def. F. Coria 6-3, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1
F. Diaz Acosta def. Z. Bergs 6-7, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
D. Altmaier def. F. Comesana 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4