Joao Fonseca and Carlos Alcaraz have finally played a match against each other for the first time.
Fonseca has been backed to challenge Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the future, with the teenager a huge prospect for both the present and the future.
Despite the big hopes for the Brazilian, Fonseca and Alcaraz had never actually played a match against each other before and had only practiced.
Fonseca and Alcaraz have been very complimentary towards one another, and many were excited for their exhibition match taking place in Miami.
Joao Fonseca explains what it was like to play Carlos Alcaraz for the first time
The hype around the match between Alcaraz and Fonseca appeared to live up to its expectations, with the Spaniard narrowly beating his opponent, 7-5 2-6 10-8, in a third set match tie-break.
As it was an exhibition match, both players conducted the on-court interview together and once again waxed lyrical about one another.
Fonseca also joked that Alcaraz had ‘a little bit of skill’, and spoke about how much he enjoyed the occasion.
Alcaraz began, “It was really special playing with Joao having never played against him. This was the first time in this beautiful scenario.
“I have never played in a baseball stadium before, it was really special. Coming back to Miami, the people always bring great energy. It’s always a great opportunity and a special moment.”
Fonseca added, “I almost got it guys! It’s tough. He has a little bit of skill. The guy is really good. It’s a pleasure being here and playing against Carlos, as well as the mixed doubles. I am very thankful for Carlos and congratulations.”
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Jessica Pegula gives her verdict on controversial baseball stadium
While there was a lot of excitement around the match between Alcaraz and Fonseca, there had also been big criticism for the stadium it was being played in.
The match was taking place at LoanDepot Park, which is the home of the Miami Marlins baseball team, and some criticised how small it made the tennis court look.
Alcaraz and Fonseca were not the only players competing on it, with Amanda Anisimova beating Jessica Pegula straight after them.
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Despite the criticism, Pegula admitted that she actually liked it and how it felt like a real baseball game.
“Yeah, it’s honestly kind of interesting,” Pegula said in her on-court interview. “It feels like a baseball game, like the kind of buzz and the chatter throughout the entire stadium/field. It’s really, really cool.
“So, I do kind of feel that we are almost at a baseball game and I love that, because I love going to baseball games so it’s really cool.”
All four players would then join together for a mixed doubles match, with Alcaraz and Pegula beating the pairing of Fonseca and Anisimova.
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