Last year’s Next Gen Finals champion Joao Fonseca came back from one set down to beat Zizou Bergs 6-7 (8-10) 6-0 6-3 after 2 hours and 10 minutes in windy conditions at the Lexus Eastbourne Open. Fonseca won the first match of his career on grass after winning his first two main draw matches on this surface.
Bergs won a tight first set in the tie-break saving all three break points he faced. Fonseca fended off two chances on his serve. Bergs won the final three points to claim the tie-break 10-8.
Fonseca came back by taking a bagel win in the second set. He raced out to a 3-0 lead with a break in the second game of the third set. Bergs broke back for 3-2. Fonseca responded by breaking for the second time in the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Fonseca sealed the win with a hold at love.
“I am very happy to win my first match on grass, here in Eastbourne, in such a nice place and against a very good player. After a tough tie-break, getting through mentally is very good. I am very happy for this one”, said Fonseca.
The 18-year-old Brazilian player became the youngest match winner in Eastbourne since three-time champion Taylor Fritz in 2015.
Fonseca set up a second round match against Taylor Fritz.
Daniel Evans followed a win over Frances Tiafoe at Queen’s with a 3-6 6-4 6-4 win over Miomir Kecmanovic.
Kecmanovic broke Evans twice to win the first set 6-3 after 39 minutes. Evans got 80% of his first serves and broke serve in the third game to take a 2-1 lead and sealed the second set on his fourth set point. Evans needed treatment on his right foot before the third set. The British player broke Kecmanovic in the first game. Both players traded consecutive breaks. Evans sealed the win with a hold at love in the 10th game setting up a match against Tommy Paul.
Lorenzo Sonego beat Fabian Maroszan 6-3 6-4. Sonego broke twice in the first and fifth games to win the first set 6-3 and earned a break in the first game to win the second set 6-4.
Mattia Bellucci beat Quentin Halys 6-4 6-2 setting up a second round match against Giovanni Mpetchi Perricard.
