Brazilian João Fonseca is the first 17-year-old to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP 500 tournament in Rio since Alexander Zverev, who did it in Hamburg in 2014.
Junior champion of the US Open, Fonseka, won against Christian Garin - 6:4, 6.4, and the young Barzilac is also the first tennis player from the generation of 2006, with a victory on the ATP tour, which he also achieved at the same tournament in Rio.
Fonseka is only 655th on the ATP list. It will be in the top 350 next week.
"My dream is becoming a reality, but I still haven't really realized what I've achieved. But I want to continue. I'm happy for the wins, but I want more. I'm happy with how I played. During the last year, I progressed not only technically, but also mentally and physically," said Fonseka and added:
"I knew that Christian is an experienced player. He knows how to deal with pressure, and today I was a little more nervous at the beginning of the match. However, I quickly adapted and celebrated with the help of the fans," concluded Fonseka.
He will play against Argentine Mariano Navone in the semi-finals, and the local teenager will not be without chances, because his 22-year-old rival is 113th on the ATP list
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