Brazilian teenager João Fonseca produced a dramatic comeback at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, saving two match points to defeat 15th seed Karen Khachanov 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) in the second round. The victory on March 14, 2026, marked the 19-year-old's first time advancing to the third round of the prestigious ATP Masters 1000 event.
Fonseca, known for his powerful forehand and enthusiastic fan support, faced defeat when Khachanov served for the match at 5-4 in the deciding set. The Brazilian saved both match points against him in that game, eventually forcing a tiebreak which he won 7-5. The match lasted two hours and 31 minutes.
The win represents a significant milestone for Fonseca, who entered the tournament ranked World No. 89. His performance against a top-20 opponent underscores his rapid rise in professional tennis. In the third round, Fonseca will face 24th seed Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany.
The BNP Paribas Open, often called the "fifth major," is being held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California from March 9 to March 22, 2026.
