Joao Fonseca breaks four-year Carlos Alcaraz record after reaching the Miami Open third round

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Carlos Alcaraz was once very much the player to watch on the ATP Tour, but Joao Fonseca has now taken over in that regard.

Fonseca has been identified as the next Alcaraz, with the former now into the third round of the Miami Open.

The 18-year-old has beaten fellow rising star Learner Tien and 19th seed Ugo Humbert at the ATP Masters 1000 event so far, with Alex de Minaur up next for Fonseca.

Alcaraz was backed to win the Miami Open, but the Spanish star surprisingly lost his opener against David Goffin.

ATP number three and second seed Alcaraz took on the Belgian in round two after a first-round bye, but lost 7-5, 4-6, 3-6.

Joao Fonseca emulates Carlos Alcaraz after reaching Miami Open round three

But Fonseca remains a real threat at the Miami Open, where he has been following in the footsteps of Alcaraz.

As per the ATP Tour, he is now the youngest man to reach an ATP Masters 1000 third round since Alcaraz at Paris 2021, when he was 18.

READ MORE: Andy Murray reacts to Joao Fonseca’s win over Learner Tien in Miami and makes claim about the state of tennis currently

Like Alcaraz was back then, the Brazilian is currently 18 years old, while he recently soared 20 places in the world rankings up to number 60.

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Fonseca has been shining brightly in recent times, but is certain to face another huge test against 10th seed De Minaur.

The teenager has, however, already proven that he is more than capable of mixing it with the big guns on the ATP Tour.

READ MORE: Jimmy Connors has one hope for American tennis after seeing Joao Fonseca win the Argentina Open

Having won the NextGen ATP Finals title at the end of 2024, the Brazilian has gone from strength to strength.

A first ATP title at the Argentina Open is among his stunning achievements since then, along with a current career-high rank of 60th and several upsets on the court.

That includes beating Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, with Fonseca undoubtedly among the most feared players in men’s tennis at this moment in time thanks to his rapid rise.