Mumbai: The significance of the split-step during serve reception cannot be overstated. This brief hop, often directed forward, maintains the body's momentum and prepares it to react swiftly to the ball's trajectory. A notable instance of this was observed in Joao Fonseca’s split-step as he faced match point against Andrey Rublev’s serve in the third set of their first-round encounter at the Australian Open.

As Rublev initiated his serve, Fonseca's hop veered more to his right instead of proceeding straight ahead. Under normal circumstances, this could have been a precarious decision. However, on that Tuesday, during the 18-year-old's inaugural main draw appearance at a Grand Slam against the world No. 9, everything seemed to align in his favor.

Rublev delivered a serve at a speed of 192 km/h, yet Fonseca anticipated it effectively, positioning himself to return with a shot that briefly unsettled the Russian player. Following a rapid exchange, a powerful forehand down the line secured Fonseca a remarkable victory, marking the most significant win of his career to date and the most surprising upset of the Australian Open thus far.

The match, which spanned two hours and 23 minutes, saw Fonseca, ranked No. 112 in the world and entering the main draw as a qualifier, triumph over the ninth seed with scores of 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5). In his post-match interview on Margaret Court Arena, he remarked, “Not bad, huh.”

In his debut at a Grand Slam main draw, the Brazilian teenager showcased an impressive display of aggressive tennis. He struck a total of 51 winners compared to Rublev’s 33, with one of those securing him the first set and another clinching the match. To add to his achievements, he unleashed a forehand that registered at 181 km/h on the speed gun, marking the fastest winner of the tournament. Quite an impressive feat indeed.

On Tuesday, the prodigy from Rio de Janeiro achieved his inaugural top-10 victory. Given his remarkable development over the past year, such a triumph was anticipated.

One year ago, Fonseca was positioned at 727 in the global rankings and had yet to turn professional. By February, he received a wild card for his home ATP 500 tournament in Rio, where he triumphed over then-world No. 36 Arthur Fils and former No. 17 Cristian Garin, advancing to the quarter-finals.

His ascent in the rankings continued, particularly after securing his first senior-level title at the Challenger event in Lexington. By the conclusion of the previous season, the 2023 junior boys US Open champion had qualified for the ATP Next Gen Finals as the lowest-ranked participant (149 at that time) and ultimately claimed the title.

This year, he has continued to accumulate victories. Indeed, in the nine matches he has contested thus far in the 2025 season, he has not lost a single set. This impressive streak includes winning the Canberra Challenger last week, achieving the most significant victory of his career on Tuesday, and ensuring his entry into the top 100.

He has accomplished all of this with remarkable concentration, particularly in high-pressure scenarios.

He encountered two critical moments during the first and third set tiebreaks against Rublev. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure against the three-time Australian Open quarter-finalist, delivering arguably his finest performance during those tiebreaks.

He articulated, "I aimed to channel all my intensity into the crucial moments. One aspect of my game is that I perform better during significant points. I take risks and exhibit courage. That was the key difference today."

Following the match, Fonseca received a heartfelt embrace and a broad smile from Rublev at the net. This display was notably atypical for the Russian, particularly after a defeat. However, Rublev likely recognized that he had exerted every effort in the contest. This was not merely a match he lost.

It was a match that Fonseca triumphed in.

Bopanna-Barrientos duo eliminated

Defending champion Rohan Bopanna and his Colombian partner Nicolas Barrientos were defeated in the opening round of the men's doubles event by the all-Spanish team of Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar.

The Spaniards secured a victory with scores of 7-5, 7-6(5) against the 14th seeds in a match that lasted one hour and 54 minutes on Court 15 of Melbourne Park.

Bopanna, who will celebrate his 45th birthday in March, had ascended to the position of world No. 1 doubles player during his successful campaign at the Australian Open last year, which he won alongside Matthew Ebden.

Currently ranked 16th, the veteran will see his ranking decline further following Tuesday's defeat.

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