The young Brazilian tennis player João Fonseca, just 18 years old, steps onto the court this Thursday, March 20, for his debut at the prestigious Miami Open, one of the biggest tournaments in the Masters 1000 circuit. Currently ranked 60th in the ATP world rankings, he takes on American Learner Tien, 19 years old and world number 66, in a match set to thrill fans at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami at 8 PM (Brasília time). Fresh off his Challenger title win in Phoenix last Sunday, Fonseca arrives in top form, while Tien looks to reverse a history of defeats against his Brazilian rival. The clash will be covered live with real-time updates on the ge portal and broadcast on Disney+, ensuring tennis fans in Brazil catch every moment of this battle between two rising stars.
This match marks Fonseca’s first appearance in a Masters 1000 event in the United States, a significant milestone in his meteoric career. With an outstanding start to the year, the Rio de Janeiro native has already claimed three titles in 2025 – Canberra, Buenos Aires, and Phoenix – and amassed roughly R$ 1.9 million in prize money, figures that establish him as one of the sport’s brightest emerging talents. On the opposite side, Tien, born in Irvine, California, is also on the rise, boasting notable wins over players like Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, but he faces the challenge of overcoming an opponent who has beaten him in three of their four prior encounters.
The Thursday night lineup in Miami also features Brazil’s Bia Haddad Maia, ranked 18th in the WTA, making her tournament debut. She faces Czech player Linda Fruhvirtová, ranked 215th, also at 8 PM. The Miami Open, running from March 19 to 30, brings together top global talents like Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev in the men’s draw, providing an ideal stage for Brazil’s young stars to shine in one of the season’s most anticipated events.
I think this is what you call a popcorn match?
pic.twitter.com/HgejGAtiSP
— Miami Open (@MiamiOpen) March 20, 2025
Fonseca’s lightning-fast rise to the top
João Fonseca is living a dream year, cementing his status as one of Brazil’s and the world’s most promising tennis players. In under three months, the 18-year-old has jumped from outside the top 100 to the 60th spot in the ATP rankings, driven by a string of remarkable results. His journey began with a Challenger title in Canberra, Australia, followed by a historic upset over Andrey Rublev, then ranked 9th in the world, in the Australian Open’s first round. In February, he clinched his first ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires, defeating Francisco Cerundolo in the final, and last Sunday, he dominated the Phoenix Challenger with an exhilarating victory over Alexander Bublik, 7-6(5), 7-6(0).
The Phoenix campaign was a true test of endurance and skill. Fonseca faced seasoned opponents like Jan-Lennard Struff, Hugo Gaston, and Kei Nishikori before outlasting Bublik in the final, dropping just one set across five matches. His aggressive playing style, defined by a powerful forehand and a precise serve, has drawn attention from experts and put him on a level comparable to legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic at the same age. Now in Miami, he aims to maintain his momentum against a familiar foe.
Meanwhile, Learner Tien arrives with his own strong credentials. The American, who broke into the top 100 this year, stunned the tennis world by defeating Daniil Medvedev, then ranked 8th, in a five-set thriller at the Australian Open. He also reached the quarterfinals of the Mexican Open, where he beat Alexander Zverev, but comes off a straight-sets loss to Mariano Navone in Indian Wells’ first round. Despite the recent setback, Tien’s consistency and defensive prowess promise a competitive showdown against Fonseca’s relentless attack.
Renewed rivalry between two rising stars
Facing Learner Tien is nothing new for João Fonseca, and their history adds extra spice to the Miami Open matchup. The two have met four times, with the Brazilian prevailing in three. Their first clash came in the 2023 US Open junior final, where Fonseca claimed the title. Later that year, Tien won at Roland Garros in the junior circuit, but since then, the Brazilian has dominated. In 2024’s Next Gen ATP Finals, a showcase for the world’s best under-20 players, Fonseca beat Tien in both the group stage (4-0, 4-0, 1-4, 4-2) and the final (2-4, 4-3(8), 4-0, 4-2), securing the championship in Jeddah.
Their playing styles offer an intriguing contrast. Fonseca relies on an offensive approach, delivering powerful shots from both sides of the court and closing points quickly. Tien, a left-hander, plays a more tactical game, using speed and intelligence to build points and wear down opponents. Miami’s fast hard courts could favor the Brazilian, but the American has proven adaptable across surfaces, as evidenced by his wins over top-tier players.
For Fonseca, this match is a chance to solidify his rise and advance in a high-stakes tournament, where a first-round win could pit him against France’s Ugo Humbert, ranked 20th, in the next round. For Tien, it’s an opportunity to exact revenge on a direct rival in the race among young players and notch his first Masters 1000 victory, a milestone he has yet to achieve.
Schedule and details to follow the showdown
João Fonseca’s debut against Learner Tien is set for Thursday, March 20, at 8 PM (Brasília time) on the Hard Rock Stadium’s center court. The schedule may shift based on the tournament’s flow, so fans should monitor the official lineup. The match kicks off the men’s draw first round, featuring 96 players vying for the title.
Tennis enthusiasts have two ways to catch every moment. The ge portal provides real-time updates with minute-by-minute coverage, while Disney+ streams the match live, bringing the excitement straight from Miami’s courts. Expectations are high to see how Fonseca, riding the wave of his Phoenix triumph, performs on such a grand stage against an opponent he knows well.
What to expect from the Fonseca-Tien clash
Breaking down the matchup between João Fonseca and Learner Tien means diving into a clash of styles and contrasting momentum. The Brazilian is in peak form, riding a five-match winning streak from Phoenix and holding a 7-5 record in main-level tournaments this year. His confidence is soaring, and he’s proven he can handle Tien in high-pressure situations, like the Next Gen finals. Meanwhile, the American, with a 6-5 season record, aims to recapture the brilliance of his wins over Medvedev and Zverev after recent stumbles, including the Indian Wells loss.
Key factors could shape the outcome:
- Physical condition: Fonseca’s intense week in Phoenix tested his stamina, but he’s shown resilience in long stretches.
- Court adaptation: Miami’s fast surface suits the Brazilian’s aggressive style, though Tien has thrived in similar conditions.
- Mindset: Fonseca’s favorable head-to-head record gives him a mental edge, while Tien must overcome that hurdle.
Regardless of the result, the match promises to be a spectacle, pitting two of the new generation’s brightest talents against each other for a spot in the next round.
Tough road ahead in the Miami Open
Beating Learner Tien is just the first hurdle in a challenging draw for João Fonseca. A victory would set up a second-round clash with Ugo Humbert, who bested him in this year’s Davis Cup. Further progress could bring matchups with Andrey Rublev, whom Fonseca defeated at the Australian Open, and Alexander Zverev, the top seed in the upper half of the draw, in the round of 16 or semifinals.
Running through March 30, the Miami Open is a prime chance for Fonseca to measure himself against the world’s elite. With six titles, Novak Djokovic aims to become the event’s winningest player, while 2022 champion Carlos Alcaraz chases a second crown. For Fonseca, each match offers valuable experience and a shot at climbing higher in the rankings, where he’s already the youngest player in the top 100.
Bia Haddad Maia also carries Brazil’s hopes in the women’s draw. Her debut against Linda Fruhvirtová puts the spotlight on Brazil this Thursday night, with two players aiming to advance in one of the tennis calendar’s most celebrated tournaments.
