João Fonseca. – Foto: instagram
João Fonseca faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the Cincinnati Masters 1000 this Saturday, August 9, at 6 PM (Brasília time), in an unprecedented duel for the second round. The match, held on the hard courts of the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, will be broadcast live on ESPN and Disney+. The young 18-year-old Brazilian tennis player, ranked 52nd in the ATP, comes from a comeback victory against the Chinese Bu Yunchaokete and seeks to consolidate his rise in the circuit. Meanwhile, the Spaniard, 18th in the world, is at the peak of his career and is the favorite, but faces the challenge of overcoming the energy of the “Carioca Comet.” The confrontation promises intensity and is crucial for both in preparation for the US Open. The Brazilian showed resilience in his debut, reversing an initial lost set to advance. The match against Fokina marks his first participation in the main draw of Cincinnati, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the circuit. Below, details about the matchup, the players’ trajectories, and where to watch.
- Game: João Fonseca (BRA) x Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
- Time: 6 PM (Brasília time), fourth match on Court 3
- Location: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio
- Broadcast: ESPN, Disney+, Tennis TV
📌 Dados da @tennis_insights comparam João com seu adversário de hoje, Fokina.
Os números consideram a média dos jogadores nas últimas 52 semanas.
O forehand, ponto forte de João, recebe nota 7,6 principalmente pelo índice de acerto abaixo da média: 81%, contra 84% do circuito.… pic.twitter.com/6m6A8ilugw
— Joao Fonseca Daily (@fonsecadailyy) August 9, 2025
João Fonseca’s trajectory in 2025
João Fonseca, at 18 years old, is experiencing a season of affirmation in the professional circuit. After winning the junior US Open title in 2023, the Carioca made a solid transition to the ATP level. In 2025, he became the youngest South American to win an ATP tournament since 1990, lifting the trophy in Buenos Aires. Additionally, he reached the third round at Wimbledon and defeated names like Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open and Ugo Humbert in Miami. His debut in Cincinnati, with a comeback against Bu Yunchaokete (4/6, 6/2, 7/5), marked his first win in a Masters 1000 since Madrid in April.
The Brazilian, coached by Guilherme Teixeira, is known for his aggressive baseline game and competitive mentality, compared by Rafael Nadal to great names in the sport. Despite an early setback in Toronto, Fonseca adjusted his game for the hard courts of Cincinnati, where he seeks to add ranking points and experience before the US Open. His performance against Fokina will be a tough test against a top 20 player, something he has already overcome three times in 2025, but with a record of three wins in nine matches against players of that level.
Profile of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, 26 years old, is one of the highlights of the circuit in 2025. Born in Málaga, Spain, the right-handed player standing at 1.80m reached his best ATP ranking position, 18th place, after the ATP 500 final in Washington. Despite not yet having won an ATP title, he has four finals, three of them in 2025: Delray Beach, Acapulco, and Washington. His playing style is versatile, with a solid backhand, precise use of slices and drop shots, plus an above-average return, which can challenge Fonseca’s aggressiveness.
Off the courts, Fokina stands out for his personality. He maintains a superstition since he was 15, playing with socks of different colors (one white and one black). Additionally, he is engaged in animal causes, having created the Adoptas.org platform in 2021 to promote pet adoption in Spain. His season, with 34 wins and 19 losses, reflects consistency, but the withdrawal against Andrey Rublev in Toronto due to fatigue raises questions about his physical condition for Cincinnati.
- Current ranking: 18th (career best)
- Finals in 2025: Delray Beach, Acapulco, Washington
- Style: Defensive game with long rallies and variation
- Curiosity: Has a tsunami tattoo, but his coach compares him to a volcano
What to expect from the matchup
The duel between Fonseca and Fokina promises to be a generational battle. The Brazilian, with his energy and power, faces an experienced Spaniard, known for his intensity and ability to prolong rallies. The hard courts of Cincinnati, fast and conducive to intense exchanges, favor both styles, but Fokina’s consistency may be a challenge for the young Carioca. Betting houses point to the Spaniard as the favorite, but Fonseca’s unpredictability, who has already beaten top 10 like Rublev, keeps the matchup open.
Fonseca will need to maintain aggressiveness on serve, where he won 17 of 18 points in the decisive set against Bu, and avoid unforced errors in long rallies. Meanwhile, Fokina, who withdrew from Toronto due to fatigue, will have to manage his energy to contain the Brazilian’s speed. The matchup is unprecedented, adding an element of surprise, as neither knows the other’s game deeply.
Importance of the Cincinnati Masters 1000
The Cincinnati Masters 1000, held since 1899, is one of the most traditional tournaments on the ATP circuit. In 2025, the event gained relevance with an expansion to 12 days and a 96-player draw, accompanied by a US$260 million investment in infrastructure. Played at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, the tournament is crucial preparation for the US Open, which starts on August 24. The US$9.1 million prize money attracts top names in tennis, like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, raising the competition level.
- History: Oldest tournament in the US in its original city
- Investment: US$260 million in modernizations
- Prize money: US$9.1 million in 2025
- Relevance: Last major event before the US Open
For Fonseca, Cincinnati is an opportunity to solidify his place in the top 50 and attract sponsors. A win over Fokina would be his third victory against a top 20 in 2025, reinforcing his rise. For the Spaniard, the game is a chance to add points in the race for the ATP Finals, where he holds the 11th position with 2,065 points.
Path in the tournament and next challenges
If he overcomes Fokina, João Fonseca will face the winner of the duel between Frenchman Terence Atmane (136th) and Italian Flavio Cobolli (22nd), the 15th seed. Cobolli has already defeated Fonseca in 2025, at the ATP 500 in Halle, which would make an eventual rematch an extra challenge. Further ahead, the Brazilian could cross paths with names like Taylor Fritz (4th), Holger Rune (9th), or even Jannik Sinner (1st), depending on the draw. For Fokina, advancing is essential to maintain his position in the ATP Finals race and improve his record in Cincinnati, where he has only one win in five participations.
- Possible next opponents for Fonseca: Atmane or Cobolli (3rd round)
- Potential challenges: Fritz (round of 16), Rune (quarterfinals), Sinner (semifinals)
- Fokina’s history in Cincinnati: 1 win in 5 participations
- Fokina’s goal: Add points for the ATP Finals
Where and how to watch live
Tennis fans can follow the matchup between João Fonseca and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina live on ESPN, which broadcasts the tournament on pay TV, and on Disney+, which offers high-quality streaming. Tennis TV, the official ATP service, also shows the game for international subscribers. The match, scheduled as the fourth on Court 3, will not start before 5:30 PM, due to the previous schedule, which includes women’s and men’s games. The ge portal also provides real-time coverage, with play-by-play updates.
- Broadcast channels: ESPN, Disney+ (Brazil)
- International streaming: Tennis TV (subject to subscription)
- Real-time coverage: ge portal
- Time: Starting at 5:30 PM (Brasília time)
The duel promises to be a milestone in both tennis players’ seasons. For Fonseca, it’s a chance to show evolution against an elite opponent. For Fokina, it’s an opportunity to confirm his good form and advance in a tournament where he historically faces difficulties. With a competitive scenario and the proximity of the US Open, the matchup draws attention from Brazilian fans and the international circuit.
