Novak Djokovic’s wait for a 25th Grand Slam title goes on after he was stunned in the third round of the French Open by teenage sensation Joao Fonseca.
The Brazilian, 19, roared back from two sets down against the greatest to ever do it to reach the last 16 at Roland-Garros in spectacular style.
The match was just Djokovic’s second ever where he had surrendered a two-set lead, with the first and only other time coming in this tournament back in 2010 against Jurgen Melzer.
Fonseca, who has been hailed tennis’ next top prodigy, is seeded 28th in Paris and he secured a magnificent 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-5 victory on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
He hit 11 aces across the marathon five-setter, and produced some sumptuous strokes off either wing to topple Djokovic, who had become the odds-on favourite to claim a fourth French Open after Jannik Sinner was stuningly dumped out in the second round by Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who also produced a remarkable five-set fightback.
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, was forced to withdraw from the main men’s drew after suffering a wrist injury that will also keep him out of this summer’s Wimbledon.
As such, it left Djokovic as the one to beat in the French capital, but he was toppled by the fabulous Fonseca, who marches on relentlessly into round four, where he will face either Tommy Paul or former Roland-Garros finalist Casper Ruud.
“I actually didn’t [believe I could win],” Fonseca revealed post-match.
“I just played, I just enjoyed being on court, and what a match it was. What an idol we have and it was a pleasure just stepping on court against him.”
