Miomir Kecmanovic must have felt sick when he saw Joao Fonseca’s name right next to his in the U.S. Open draw.
For a brief moment on Monday afternoon, Fonseca appeared to feel even worse.
Despite a significant puking episode late in the third set, Fonseca battled to a 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-3 victory during first-round action at Flushing Meadows. Making his main-draw debut in New York, the 19-year-old prevailed in two hours and 26 minutes.
After taking two straight tiebreakers, Fonseca seemed to be well on his way to the winners’ circle. With Kecmanovic serving at 3-3, however, the Brazilian suddenly became ill. He saw the trainer and the doctor before that 3-3 game and then got sick during it. But getting it out of his system did just the trick, and Fonseca played well for the remainder of the match while Kecmanovic melted down.
The remainder did not last long, either. Fonseca broke serve at 3-3 and again at 5-3 to get across the finish line before any illness issues returned.
“I think this is the Grand Slam I’ve played most–in juniors and the pros,” Fonseca reflected. “I think the U.S. Open is a special tournament for me. The first time I lost (in the) first round (of juniors) and (the) second time I won juniors. The third time I played for the first time in qualies and reached the third round.
“Now I’m in the main draw and reaching the second round. It’s a special tournament and I’m looking forward to [having] great results.”
The world No. 65 will face Tomas Machac on Wednesday.
nice one, Fons