Novak Djokovic's most glaring opportunity to win that elusive history-making 25th grand slam title has been exploded by Joao Fonseca, the brilliant boy from Brazil whose epic French Open victory had all the exhilarating feel of a changing of the tennis guard.
The dynamic 19-year-old Fonseca, who's long been touted as a potential superstar in the sport's new age, demonstrated rare heart and talent to come back from two sets down to outlast the ultimate champion, 20 years his senior, 4-6 4-6 6-3 7-5 7-5 in a wonderful contest lasting seven minutes under five hours.
Magnificent in trying to combat Father Time in the draining heat and magnanimous in defeat, Djokovic's loss means his wait to surpass Margaret Court's 24 titles must wait, though this had felt like the best chance in his twilight years with Carlos Alcaraz injured and Jannik Sinner sensationally kayoed.
