Brazilian teenager Joao Fonseca is hoping to comply with within the footsteps of his idol and world primary Jannik Sinner by profitable the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals title in Sunday’s closing at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Ought to the 18-year-old triumph on the $2.05 million prize cash match for gamers aged 20 and beneath, he can be its second-youngest champion behind Sinner, who hoisted the trophy in 2019.
“It could be wonderful to duplicate Sinner. It reveals I’m heading in the right direction and could be particular,” stated Fonseca, a hitting associate for Sinner ultimately yr’s ATP Finals, the place he was satisfied by the Italian to show skilled.
Fonseca faces American Learner Tien subsequent with a victory set to make him wealthier by $526,480 because the unbeaten champion, and the Rio de Janeiro native is excessive on confidence.
“I’m enjoying at a excessive stage. I’m simply pleased with myself and the best way I’ve been with my routine this week, so targeted. With my household right here, with my three coaches, it’s very nice and I hope I can go for the title,” he stated.
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The 19-year-old Tien has grown in leaps and bounds this season, climbing from outdoors the highest 450 to quantity 122 on this planet rankings.
“I’m proud of the place my recreation is at. The group has been nice all week and it’s at all times nice to play in these environments,” stated Tien, forward of the pair’s second assembly.
This yr’s version of the hardcourt occasion is the second to be held in Saudi Arabia and aside from handing out an enormous quantity as prize cash additionally serves as a barometer to determine the sport’s subsequent massive stars.
Previous winners of the occasion, which was beforehand held in Milan, embody Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas, who’ve each had large success on the senior stage.
Innovation has additionally been on the coronary heart of the match, with singles matches determined by means of a best-of-five-sets format and every set the primary to 4 video games.