Where to watch João Fonseca vs Herbert live in the second round of Roland Garros

In Paris, Brazilian tennis player João Fonseca, aged just 18, faces Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert, ranked 147 in the ATP, this Thursday, May 29, 2025, in the second round of Roland Garros. The match, set for Court 14, is scheduled to start around 10:30 AM (Brasília time) and will be broadcast live on ESPN 2 and Disney+ streaming. Fonseca, currently ranked 65th in the world, comes off a commanding victory over Pole Hubert Hurkacz, while Herbert defeated compatriot Benjamin Bonzi in a five-set match. The unprecedented clash between the two draws attention due to the young Carioca’s rise and the Frenchman’s experience, especially in doubles. The duel promises to heat up the Parisian clay with Brazilian fans in attendance.

Fonseca, in his first main draw appearance at Roland Garros, has already shown talent by defeating a top-30 ranked opponent. Court 14, with a capacity of about 2,200 spectators, was chosen for the match after the large crowd that filled Court 7 in the Brazilian’s debut. Herbert, playing at home, aims to advance in a tournament where he has shone in doubles but faces an opponent on a rapid rise.

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• Match highlights: Fonseca defeated Hurkacz 3-0; Herbert needed five sets against Bonzi.
• Venue: Court 14, the fourth largest at Roland Garros.
• Broadcast: ESPN 2 on pay TV and Disney+ streaming.

The clash between the young Brazilian and the veteran Frenchman marks a crucial moment for both in the clay season, with the winner advancing to the third round.

João Fonseca’s journey at Roland Garros

João Fonseca, at just 18, is in his first full season as a professional and already boasts notable achievements. In his Roland Garros debut, he faced Pole Hubert Hurkacz, ranked 28th, and won with scores of 6/2, 6/4, and 6/2, in a dominant performance lasting about 1h40. The victory was described as commanding, with Fonseca displaying consistency in his serve and aggression in rallies. The Brazilian, ranked 65th in the ATP, became the youngest player to win a match in the men’s draw since Carlos Alcaraz in 2021.

Before Roland Garros, Fonseca faced challenges in the clay season, with early exits in tournaments like Madrid, Estoril, and Rome. Still, he secured three titles in 2025: the Canberra and Phoenix Challengers, plus the Buenos Aires ATP 250. These results underscore his meteoric rise in the professional circuit.

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Pierre-Hugues Herbert’s profile

Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 34, is an experienced player but more prominent in doubles than singles. Currently ranked 147th in the ATP, the Frenchman reached his career-high of 36th in 2019. In singles, he has never won an ATP title but reached four ATP 250 finals and won two Challengers in 2014. In the first round of Roland Garros 2025, Herbert faced Benjamin Bonzi, ranked 60th, and won 7/5, 3/6, 4/6, 7/5, 6/2, in a balanced match lasting over three hours.

In doubles, Herbert is a decorated name. Alongside compatriot Nicolas Mahut, he won five Grand Slam titles: US Open (2015), Wimbledon (2016), Roland Garros (2018 and 2021), and Australian Open (2019). In 2016, he reached the second spot in the world doubles ranking, cementing his reputation as one of the best in the discipline.

• Strengths: Powerful serve and net play skills.
• Singles challenges: Herbert has never advanced past the third round in Grand Slams.
• Local experience: Won Roland Garros in doubles, giving him familiarity with Parisian clay.

Match expectations

The duel between João Fonseca and Pierre-Hugues Herbert is a first in the professional circuit, heightening curiosity about their performances. Fonseca enters as the favorite, with an estimated 87% chance of victory based on simulation models, due to his recent form and ranking gap. Herbert, however, has experience and local crowd support, plus a playing style that can challenge the Brazilian with strong serves and net approaches.

Court 14, hosting the match, seats 2,158 spectators, an upgrade from Court 7, which held 1,350 fans for Fonseca’s debut. The tournament organizers opted for a larger venue due to high ticket demand for the Brazilian, who drew fans away from the main court to watch him play.

Crowd and atmosphere at Roland Garros

João Fonseca’s presence at Roland Garros has sparked a crowd phenomenon. In his debut against Hurkacz, Court 7 was packed, with queues forming in the complex’s corridors and fans climbing the stands of the Philippe-Chatrier court to watch. The Brazilian fanbase, known for its passion, showed up in force, creating a vibrant atmosphere reminiscent of Gustavo Kuerten’s performances.

• Crowd success factors: Fonseca’s charisma and Brazil’s clay tradition.
• Historical comparison: Fans packed courts for Guga in the 1990s and 2000s.
• Ticket demand: Organizers moved Fonseca’s match to a larger court.
• International presence: Brazilians living in Paris bolster support for the young player.

The shift to Court 14 reflects the impact Fonseca is already making in the circuit, even in his Grand Slam debut.

Tournament path

The winner of the Fonseca-Herbert match will face the victor of the duel between Frenchman Gael Monfils and Briton Jack Draper, currently ranked 5th. Draper, who defeated Fonseca at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in 2025, is a potentially tough opponent due to his power and consistency. If he advances, Fonseca could meet players like Alex de Minaur in the round of 16, Jannik Sinner in the quarters, or even Carlos Alcaraz in a hypothetical final.

Herbert, meanwhile, aims to match his best Roland Garros singles run, having reached the third round on occasion. His doubles experience could be a factor in high-pressure moments, but his singles record suggests struggles against higher-ranked opponents.

Broadcast details

The João Fonseca vs. Pierre-Hugues Herbert match will be broadcast live on ESPN 2, a pay-TV channel, and Disney+ streaming. Coverage starts at 10:00 AM (Brasília time), but the exact time depends on the duration of prior matches on Court 14, including Alex de Minaur vs. Alexander Bublik and Barbora Krejcikova vs. Veronika Kudermetova.

• Access options: Disney+ subscription or cable TV packages with ESPN 2.
• Broadcast features: Disney+ offers replays and highlights post-match.
• Additional coverage: The ge.globo website provides real-time updates.

The live broadcast ensures Brazilian fans can follow every point of the match, boosting Fonseca’s popularity in the country.

History of Brazilians at Roland Garros

Roland Garros holds a special place in Brazilian tennis, largely due to Gustavo Kuerten, a three-time champion in 1997, 2000, and 2001. Fonseca’s presence on Parisian clay rekindles memories of Guga, with fans and analysts noting similarities in charisma and clay-court prowess. Other Brazilians, like Thomaz Bellucci and Thiago Monteiro, also competed in the tournament but with less impact.

Fonseca, with his debut win, has matched the feat of other young Brazilians who reached the second round in Grand Slams. His 2025 season, with three titles, suggests he could go further and etch his name in national tennis history.

Fonseca’s playing style

João Fonseca is known for an aggressive style, with powerful groundstrokes and strong movement on clay. His forehand is a key weapon, capable of producing winners at wide angles. Against Hurkacz, he converted 76.1% of service points and capitalized on 34.2% of break point opportunities, showing efficiency in critical moments.

• Key traits: Speed, powerful forehand, and consistent serving.
• Clay adaptation: Fonseca has improved patience in long rallies, vital on the slow surface.
• Vs. Herbert: The Brazilian is steadier from the baseline, while the Frenchman favors net play.

The young Carioca has shown maturity in handling experienced opponents, which will be tested again against Herbert.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert curiosities

Beyond tennis, Pierre-Hugues Herbert is known for hobbies and notable moments. He plays guitar in his spare time and made headlines in 2021 for opting against Covid-19 vaccination, which barred him from the Australian Open that year. His doubles partnership with Nicolas Mahut is among the most successful in recent history, with the pair forming a charismatic and competitive duo.

• Musical side: Herbert has shared guitar-playing videos on social media.
• Controversial choice: His vaccine refusal sparked debate at the time.
• Mahut partnership: Together, they won 24 titles, including five Grand Slams.
• Versatility: Herbert adapts his game between singles and doubles with ease.

These facets add depth to Herbert’s persona as he faces Fonseca with the mission to surprise at home.