In a dazzling display of power and precision, British No. 1 Jack Draper delivered a masterclass on the clay courts of Roland Garros, dismantling Brazilian prodigy Joao Fonseca in straight sets to advance to the fourth round of the 2025 French Open. The 23-year-old, seeded fifth, showcased his growing prowess on a surface where he had never won a match before this tournament, securing a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 victory in just under two hours. The match, played under the sweltering Parisian sun on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, highlighted Draper’s tactical brilliance and physical dominance, while also underscoring the immense potential of his 18-year-old opponent, whom he graciously praised post-match.
Draper, who arrived in Paris with a point to prove after early exits in previous French Opens, was relentless from the outset. He broke Fonseca’s serve in the third game of the first set, using his heavy topspin forehand to dictate rallies and push the Brazilian deep behind the baseline. His strategic use of drop shots, a weapon he admitted he doesn’t practice often, kept Fonseca guessing. “I don’t practise dropshots,” Draper revealed with a smile. “I always say to my coach—the more I practise them, the worse I get.” Yet, his instinctive feel for the shot was impeccable, often catching Fonseca off-guard and drawing gasps from the crowd. By the end of the first set, Fonseca had racked up 16 unforced errors, unable to counter Draper’s ferocious groundstrokes and pinpoint accuracy.
The second set saw Fonseca, ranked No. 65 and carrying the hopes of a passionate Brazilian fanbase, attempt to regroup. An early ace gave him a glimmer of hope, but Draper’s consistency and aggressive play snuffed out any momentum. Facing two break points while serving for the second set at 5-4, Draper remained unfazed, saving one with a blistering forehand and clinching the set with an ace. “The first set was really key,” he said. “I got on top of him and used my forehand really well.” The humid conditions, with temperatures touching 30°C, seemed to energize Draper, whose serve reached new heights, winning 93% of his first-serve points.
In the third set, Draper’s dominance was undeniable. He broke Fonseca twice early on, capitalizing on the teenager’s shaky start and a brief medical timeout for a suspected shoulder issue. Fonseca, despite his explosive forehand and dynamic style, couldn’t match Draper’s physicality or experience, finishing with 38 unforced errors to Draper’s 20. “I think today it was maybe a bit of experience,” Draper reflected, acknowledging the gap in Grand Slam exposure between the two. This was Fonseca’s second main-draw appearance at a major, while Draper, competing in his 12th, leveraged his seasoned approach to control the match.
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Draper was quick to laud Fonseca’s potential, predicting a bright future for the young star who has already defeated Andrey Rublev and won an ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires. “Joao is someone who has come onto the Tour and caught the attention of everyone, the players, the fans,” Draper said. “He is an incredible young player and so much to come from him. He’s got an unbelievably bright future. He will be right at the top of the game. So good luck to him.” His words echoed the sentiment of tennis luminaries like Rafael Nadal and Mats Wilander, who have tipped Fonseca as a future Grand Slam champion.
The match’s atmosphere was notably subdued compared to what might have been. Originally scheduled for Court Simonne-Mathieu, where Fonseca’s vocal Brazilian supporters could have filled the stands, the contest was moved to the ticketed Suzanne-Lenglen after Arthur Fils’ withdrawal due to injury. This shift muted the carnival-like energy Fonseca’s fans are known for, with only pockets of yellow and green dotting the stands. “I understand that this game is entertainment as well,” Draper said of the crowd. “If you’re Brazilian supporting Joao, that’s fine. I don’t think it’s bad at all to have a rowdy atmosphere. That’s what I play for.”
Draper’s victory marks his third consecutive second-week appearance at a Grand Slam, a testament to his meteoric rise in 2025, highlighted by his Indian Wells title earlier this year—where he also defeated Fonseca 6-4, 6-0. Now, he faces Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik in the fourth round, with a potential quarterfinal against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner looming. “I feel like both times I have played him it’s been hot, and I’ve been able to get the ball rising on him,” Draper noted, reflecting on his favorable matchup against Fonseca. Yet, he remained cautious, adding, “I don’t want to say it’s a good match-up for me, because I think I’m going to play him many more times, and I think he’s only going to improve.”
As Draper continues his French Open campaign, his blend of power, finesse, and sportsmanship has solidified his status as a contender. For Fonseca, the loss is a learning experience, one that Draper believes will fuel his ascent. “He’s already top 50 in the world,” Draper said, mistakenly citing Fonseca’s ranking. “He’s doing incredible things. His experience and everything are only going to grow.” As the tennis world watches, the seeds of a compelling rivalry have been sown, promising thrilling battles in years to come.
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