Alcaraz cuts through the noise to win first Fonseca meeting in Miami
Spaniard defeats 19-year-old in straight sets
March 21, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Carlos Alcaraz is into the third round in Miami (file photo).
By Arthur Kapetanakis
Carlos Alcaraz and Joao Fonseca both produce a booming sound when they connect on their ferocious cuts. But that was no match for the noise Friday night on the stadium court at the Miami Open presented by Itau.
In front of a boisterous crowd, Alcaraz held his nerve to notch a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. While the heavy Brazilian support roared on Fonseca as he went toe to toe with the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alcaraz’s experience and maturity helped him navigate a spirited challenge from the 19-year-old.
Fonseca has now fallen to Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz in consecutive ATP Masters 1000s, having been turned back in two tie-breaks by eventual champion Sinner earlier this month in Indian Wells. On both occasions, the Brazilian showed why many have tipped him to rival those stars atop the PIF ATP Rankings over the next decade. While Fonseca threatened in both matches, his raw power and fighting spirit was not enough to spring an upset.
Alcaraz, who suffered his first loss of the season to Daniil Medvedev in the Indian Wells semi-finals, returned to winning ways and improved to 17-1 this season — and 73-6 since his shock opening-match defeat to David Goffin last year in Miami. The Spaniard has reached at least the semi-finals in 13 of the past 14 tournaments he’s played since that loss. The 22-year-old Alcaraz also improved to 13-0 against younger opponents at tour-level, once again showcasing his discipline on one of the ATP Tour’s biggest stages.
In an electric Miami atmosphere, Alcaraz blunted Fonseca’s aggressive game by controlling the middle of the court and dominating on his first serve, winning 80 per cent (35/44) of points behind his first delivery, according to Infosys ATP Stats. When Fonseca did earn opportunities to attack, Alcaraz shrunk the court with his speed and defence — so much so that Fonseca did not record a single forehand winner in the opening set.
More to follow…
