JEDDAH - Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca became the second-youngest champion of the Next Gen ATP Finals, when he defied his world No. 145 ranking to defeat 122nd-ranked Learner Tien in the decider on Dec 22.
The 18-year-old overcame his 19-year-old American opponent 2-4, 4-3 (10-8), 4-0, 4-2 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to bag US$526,480 (S$713,400) in prize money.
He is the youngest champion at this tournament for players aged 20 and under since current world No. 1 Jannik Sinner claimed the title at the age of 18 five years ago.
"I was really nervous before the match," Fonseca, the lowest-ranked player in the eight-man field, said before lifting the trophy with tennis legend Rafael Nadal watching on from the stands. "I knew it was going to be so difficult.
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