TryGOLD- Free

Brazilian teenager Fonseca ousts 8th seed Rublev
Hindustan Times Gurugram|January 15, 2025
The importance of the split-step when receiving serve cannot be stressed enough. It is that small hop, often forward, that keeps the body in motion and ready to spring towards the ball in whichever direction it may come.
- Shahid Judge

MUMBAI:

There was something peculiar in Joao Fonseca's split-step when he had a match point on Andrey Rublev's serve in the third set of their Australian Open first-round match.

As Rublev tossed the ball, Fonseca's hop was more towards his right rather than straight ahead. On any other day, it might have been a risky move. But on Tuesday, in the 18-year-old's first-ever main draw appearance at a Grand Slam, that too against the world No.9, Fonseca could do no wrong.

Rublev's serve came, clocking 192 kmph, but Fonseca had read it well and was ready to hammer back a return that briefly threw the Russian off balance. A quick exchange and another powerful forehand up the line secured Fonseca the biggest win of his career, for now—and the biggest upset of the Australian Open this year so far.

In a match that lasted two hours and 23 minutes, Fonseca, the world No.112 who made it to the main draw as a qualifier, had beaten the ninth seed 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5). "Not bad, huh," he would say in his post-match interview on Margaret Court Arena.

This story is from the January 15, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Gurugram.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 15, 2025 edition of Hindustan Times Gurugram.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HINDUSTAN TIMES GURUGRAMView All
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Ranji Trophy struggles to align despite the star turn

For a long time, Ranji Trophy has reflected all the symptoms of the apathy shown to it by the players and BCCI - empty stands, lack of star players, poor wickets, bad umpiring, and no marketing.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Closure in the 26/11 attacks

Tahawwur Rana's extradition will help NIA unearth more details about Pakistan's role in plotting the Mumbai terror strike

time-read
2 mins  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Foreign Secy Misri to Hold Talks During Two-Day China Visit

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a two-day visit during which he will hold talks with Chinese officials, in the second such high-profile visit from India to China in less than one-and-a-half months.

time-read
1 min  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

U-19 T20 WC: India crush B'desh to storm into semis

In-form Trisha Gongadi and left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma led the charge for India as the defending champions delivered a commanding performance to storm into the semi-finals of the Women's U-19 T20 World Cup at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Lakhpati Didis drivers of developed India: Chouhan

Nari Shakti' at play with all-women contingents

time-read
2 mins  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Cong: BJP communalising city's political atmosphere

PARTY DEMANDS THAT MOVIE ON FEB 2020 RIOTS BE DEFERRED TILL AFTER THE DELHI ELECTIONS, CALLS FILM ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE VOTERS

time-read
2 mins  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

India's Asian Winter Games participation hanging in balance

India's participation in the Asian Winter Games scheduled to be held in Harbin, China, from February 7, is in doubt after it was learnt that the organisers, the Olympic Council of Asia, on Sunday turned down accreditation requests for a new set of players in ice hockey and snowboarding.

time-read
1 min  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

Surviving in politics without perks of office

The resignation of V Vijayasai Reddy, the national general secretary of the YSR Congress Party, from the Rajya Sabha suggests a looming crisis in that party.

time-read
1 min  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

MCG Chief Inspects Civic, Sewage Issues in Village

The Gurugram Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) commissioner, Ashok Kumar Garg, inspected the Mohammadpur Jharsa village on Saturday to assess the sewer overflow and sanitation issues, and directed officials to ensure immediate solutions to the identified problems, officials said on Sunday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 27, 2025
Hindustan Times Gurugram

USAID move to halt new funds could impact initiatives in India

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has paused new funding for programmes across the world following the Trump administration's decision to halt all foreign aid, barring that to Egypt and Israel, a move that will impact some initiatives in India.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 27, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more