Fonseca makes it two in a row at NBO over Grand Slam finalists, gets Shelton next

Fonseca advanced to the fourth round at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers when he edged a tight first set before blowing things open against the three-time Grand Slam finalist. 

With Fonseca’s 7-6 (6), 6-3 win under the lights in Montreal on Friday, it meant that two teens, Rafael Jodar being the other, have reached the Round of 16 of the men’s NBO for the first time since 2018. 

Canadian Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece were those last two eight years ago. 

In his first ever match in Montreal, Fonseca ousted Tsitsipas, also a Slam finalist. 

Just like on Wednesday, he was slow out of the gate in round three.  

Ruud manufactured five break points in Fonseca’s opening two service games but couldn’t breakthrough. Fonseca struggled with his serve, often taking shadow swings to try to get going. 

READ: Ben Shelton keeps winning at the NBO

The Norwegian persisted and broke for 4-2. His big forehand was doing more damage than vice versa, and he was hitting cleaner from the baseline. That said, Fonseca found several backhands down the line as Ruud’s desire to hit forehands from the backhand corner cost him on occasion. 

Ruud breezed on serve in his previous two service games but that changed quickly, as Fonseca fired back for 3-4. 

Ruud also led the tiebreaker 5-3. As the momentum shifted, he saved a set point with an ace at 5-6. At 6-6, Fonseca’s leaping backhand overhead wasn’t well struck but it caught the line, giving Ruud no chance. A fine Fonseca serve then sealed the set. 

The world No. 27 then went on a roll early in the second. He executed another backhand overhead — this time, a well struck one — and ripped a backhand passing shot beyond Ruud. 

Now Ruud was the one hanging on, narrowly avoiding going down by a double break, for 1-3. 

Fonseca didn’t let him get any closer. 

In the second set, Fonseca registered 16 winners and seven unforced errors. They both hit 16 forehand winners overall but Fonseca had the sizable edge in backhand winners, 13 to five. 

“I was not serving well,” said Fonseca. “I started serving second serves as first serves. And started putting more speed on my second serve as a first serve because I wasn’t feeling well. 

“But glad to get back on court (Saturday) to work on it but those are the matches that you are most proud of because you find a way to solve the problem.” 

Fonseca overcame Ruud for the second time after prevailing at this year’s French Open in a tight four sets, handing the newly married 27-year-old his earliest exit in Canada. A huge roar and fist pump showed how much the win meant to him. 

Keep the popcorn close for his next outing — he meets defending champion Ben Shelton on Sunday. 

In their lone duel, Shelton won on clay in Munich in April. 

“Playing with the big guys this year was really important for my development,” said Fonseca, who also played Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the first time (0-2). “He was serving well there, he will serve well here, that’s for sure. I think I’ll be prepared. He’s a nice guy.”

Photo: Sarah-Jäde Champagne