Joao Fonseca conquers Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard to advance in Basel

Joao Fonseca scored his first win of the 2025 indoor swing on Tuesday, dispatching Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 7-6 (6), 6-3 to advance at the Swiss Indoors Basel.

🖥️📲REPLAY: Joao Fonseca def. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Basel 1R

The Brazilian teenager suffered a narrow defeat last week at the BNP Paribas Fortis European Open in Brussels but gained the upper hand on Mpetshi Perricard after winning a close opening-set tiebreaker, securing the win in 86 minutes on Basel’s Center Court.

At 19 years old, Fonseca is on course to wrap up his first full season on the ATP Tour having risen over 100 spots in the rankings and reached back-to-back Grand Slam third rounds at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Entering Basel ranked just four spots below his career-high of No. 42, Fonseca was looking to snap a two-match losing streak after defeats in Brussels and Laver Cup, where the youngster made his debut in the team competition.

His first opponent would not be easy as he drew Mpetshi Perricard, a 22-year-old Frenchman armed with one of the biggest serves in the men’s game. At home on an indoor court, Mpetshi Perricard eased into the semifinals in Brussels last week with a win over top seed Lorenzo Musetti.

Mpetshi Perricard’s strong serve proved a challenge from the outset as Fonseca struggled to get a foothold on the return. Still, Fonseca stayed with the Frenchman to ultimately force a tiebreaker, and shook off losing a 6-3 lead in the ensuing Sudden Death to edge out the opening set.

Fonseca took that momentum into the second set, where he claimed the lone break of the match en route to a 3-0 lead and served his way towards the finish line. Mpetshi Perricard made a brave last stand, saving two match points on Fonseca’s serve, but the Brazilian was undaunted, closing out the contest in just under 90 minutes.

Though Mpetshi Perricard struck an impressive 13 aces, Fonseca managed seven of his own and won 78% of points played behind his first serve—compared to 65% from Mpetshi Perricard.

The win is tentatively projected to move Fonseca back up to his career-high ranking with a chance to crack the Top 40 for the first time in his career. Standing between him and a spot in the quarterfinals is No. 7 seed Jakub Mensik. The Miami Open champion navigated three dramatic sets against Swiss wild card Henry Bernet to advance into the second round on Monday.

Fonseca won his only previous meeting with Mensik last fall at the Next Gen ATP Finals.