Indian Wells
\n Fonseca saves 2 MPs amid electric Indian Wells atmosphere<\/p>\n
Brazilian downs 16th seed Khachanov, next faces Paul<\/p>\n
March 07, 2026<\/p>\n
ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Joao Fonseca is the second-youngest man to reach the Indian Wells third round this decade, only behind Carlos Alcaraz.
\n By Grant Thompson<\/p>\n
Joao Fonseca<\/a> earned a memorable win Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open<\/a>, where he saved two match points to down 16th seed Karen Khachanov<\/a> 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4.<\/p>\n \nIn front of an electric Stadium 3 crowd, full of Brazilian supporters bursting into song that resembled a football match, Fonseca displayed his shotmaking ability and fighting spirit to stay alive in Indian Wells. The 19-year-old is the second-youngest man to reach the Indian Wells third round this decade, only behind an 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are the victories we work for, saving a match point,\u201d Fonseca said in his on-court interview. \u201cThe first months of the year were a little tough, getting the rhythm and getting back from injury. [Today was] a great match against a great player. I\u2019m very happy with the way that I fought. I know how experienced he is and after a tough second set, I got an early break in the third. This victory means a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n Facing two consecutive match points at 4\/6 in the second-set tie-break, Fonseca saved the first by blasting a forehand second-serve return, which drew a backhand error from Khachanov. Fonseca then served at 5\/6, nailing an Ad-side ace down the T.<\/p>\n \u201cI made a good return and then after I served well, so I started believing,” Fonseca said. “I\u2019m just very happy with the way that I fought. The third set I played really well, so I\u2019m very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n Fonseca rode his momentum from there, earning a double-break lead in the early stages of the decider. Behind his 32 winners, Fonseca eventually avenged his 2025 Rolex Paris Masters<\/a> loss to Khachanov, improving to 1-1 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series. The Brazilian will next look to earn similar revenge on\u00a0American Tommy Paul<\/a>, who beat the teenager in Madrid last year.<\/p>\n The No. 35 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Fonseca arrived in California with a 1-3 season record, according to the Infosys ATP Win\/Loss Index. His victory against Khachanov marks his sixth Top 20 win of his young career.<\/p>\n Nothing but love for Fonseca in Indian Wells! \ud83e\udef6@BNPPARIBASOPEN<\/a> | #TennisParadise<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/czJpgcJryf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 ATP Tour (@atptour) March 8, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n