Joao Fonseca’s rise continued in Basel on Sunday. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s frustrations continued as well.
The Brazilian claimed his second title of 2025 – and denied 18th-ranked Davidovich Fokina his first – with a 6-3, 6-4 victory that highlighted all of the 19-year-old’s promise in front of a packed house at the fabled St. Jakobshalle.
“It’s crazy,” Fonseca said. “I just want to thank my family and my coaches that helped me to achieve this amazing effort.”
With his parents and other family members in attendance, Fonseca put forth a steady and stellar performance, playing on the front foot and never letting his opponent take the upper hand across the 85-minute tussle.
“My parents just came from Brazil, they were actually going to Paris but they changed their flights and arrived one hour before the match with my uncles, it’s just amazing to have them here for the biggest title of my career.
“They were the ones that believed in me.”
Fonseca’s electric performance came to the chagrin of Davidovich Fokina, who fell to 0-5 lifetime in finals, and 0-4 in 2025. The 26-year-old was bidding to become the ninth first-time champion on tour, but was outhit – and outplayed – by the 46th-ranked teenager from start to finish.
Fonseca, who also won the title on the red clay in Buenos Aires in February, became the first Brazilian to win an ATP 500 title, and the first man from his country to win a title at any level above ATP 250 since Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.
With his victory Fonseca became the youngest champion in Basel in 36 years, since Jim Courier defeated Stefan Edberg in the 1989 final. He will rise to a career-high ranking of No.30 in Monday’s ATP rankings.
He hit 20 forehand winners to nine for Davidovich Fokina, made 75 percent of his first serves and saved three of the four break points he faced.
Davidovich Fokina notched his only break in the fifth game of the opening set, which temporarily put him back on serve, but he was broken back immediately as Fonseca won three of the next four games to clinch the first set.
Success came quickly in the second set as well, as Fonseca broke in the opening game, but the Spaniard saved break points in the fifth and seventh games to stay in touch. Davidovich Fokina prolonged the contest by saving a match point while serving at 3-5, but Fonseca calmly stepped to the line and served out the title at love.
“You played unbelievable tennis, and you have a bright future, for sure you are gonna be the next Nole to beat Carlos and Jannik for sure – congrats for this tournament and good luck for the next week,” Davidovich said during the trophy ceremony.
The Spaniard was smiling despite the difficult loss.
“It was a very good year, I cannot complain [about] four finals, but it always gave me heartbreak in the finals,” he said. “I think I am improving and I think we will have the opportunity again to be the champion.”
