In Paris, Brazilian tennis prodigy João Fonseca, ranked 65th in the ATP, takes on Britain’s Jack Draper, world number 5, in the third round of Roland Garros 2025 on Saturday, May 31, at the Simonne-Mathieu court, starting no earlier than 8:20 AM Brasília time. The match, a potential milestone for Fonseca to reach the round of 16 in a Grand Slam for the first time, will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed on Disney+, with real-time coverage by ge.globo. At 18, Fonseca has captivated audiences with his dynamic play, while 23-year-old Draper rides a career-high after reaching the US Open semifinals in 2024. This marks their second clash, following Draper’s commanding win at Indian Wells earlier this year.
Fonseca arrives after two solid victories in Paris. He opened with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 upset over Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, the 30th seed. In the second round, he outlasted France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert, ranked 147th, with a 7-6(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 win in a 2-hour-54-minute battle featuring two tiebreaks. Brazilian fans have packed the stands, evoking memories of Gustavo Kuerten, the three-time champion.
The match is the third of the day on Simonne-Mathieu, a court with a 5,000-seat capacity. Earlier matches include Spain’s Paula Badosa versus Australia’s Daria Kasatkina, followed by France’s Elsa Jacquemot against Lois Boisson. The court selection reflects Fonseca’s rising fanbase, which saw 1,500 supporters at his debut on the smaller Court 7.
Fonseca’s journey in Roland Garros
João Fonseca, at just 18, is the second-youngest player to win a main-draw match at Roland Garros in the past decade, trailing only Carlos Alcaraz in 2021. His victory over Hurkacz was the first by a Brazilian that young in the tournament since Thomaz Koch in 1963. This campaign marks Fonseca’s best Grand Slam performance, surpassing his second-round run at the 2025 Australian Open, where he defeated top-10 player Andrey Rublev.
Against Herbert, Fonseca showed resilience in a tight match. Despite the Frenchman’s doubles expertise, the Brazilian saved key breakpoints in the first set and controlled the third. His preparation focused on clay, a surface that suits his defensive style and heavy groundstrokes.
- Clay performance: Fonseca played four clay matches before Roland Garros, winning one and losing three, including a second-round exit at the Madrid Open.
- Current ranking: He climbed 11 spots to 54th in the ATP live rankings.
- Fan support: Brazilian crowds, with flags and chants, have created a Guga-like atmosphere.
Jack Draper’s rise
Jack Draper, ranked 5th globally, is enjoying his best season. In 2025, he claimed the Indian Wells Masters 1000 title, defeating Fonseca en route, and reached finals at the ATP 500 in Doha and the Madrid Masters 1000. His Roland Garros run is his first beyond the first round, after early exits in 2023 and 2024.
In the first round, Draper overcame Italy’s Mattia Bellucci 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 under the closed roof of Suzanne-Lenglen. In the second, he battled past France’s Gael Monfils, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a grueling three-hour-plus match that tested his endurance.
Head-to-head history
Fonseca and Draper met once before, at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 on March 8, 2025. Draper won 6-4, 6-0, delivering a “bagel” in the second set. Played on hard courts, the match showcased Draper’s ability to counter Fonseca’s powerful forehand, with the Brazilian committing 23 unforced errors against nine winners.
- Match conditions: Indian Wells’ faster hard courts favored Draper’s aggressive style, unlike Paris’s slower clay.
- Fonseca’s strategy: He must improve rally consistency and exploit clay’s movement demands.
- Mental factor: Fonseca’s experience on big stages since March could shape his approach.
Simonne-Mathieu atmosphere
The Simonne-Mathieu court, Roland Garros’ third largest, was chosen to accommodate Fonseca’s growing popularity. Its 5,000-seat capacity and intimate design amplify crowd energy. After fans climbed structures to watch Fonseca’s Court 7 debut, organizers upgraded his match to a larger venue.
Brazilian supporters, including expatriates and tourists, have brought flags and songs, while French fans embrace Fonseca, likening him to young stars like Alcaraz. Paris forecasts mild weather, with temperatures of 15°C to 20°C, ideal for extended clay rallies.
Path to the third round
Fonseca’s campaign began with a commanding win over Hurkacz, a Geneva ATP 250 finalist, in 1 hour and 40 minutes. His forehand and serve precision shone. Against Herbert, he needed patience, clinching two tiebreaks with clutch play.
Draper faced tougher tests. He dropped the first set to Bellucci but regrouped, while the Monfils match demanded physical and mental stamina amid a vocal French crowd. Both players remain undefeated in deciding sets this tournament.
- Fonseca’s wins: Hurkacz (3-0), Herbert (3-0).
- Draper’s wins: Bellucci (3-1), Monfils (3-1).
- Court time: Fonseca logged 4h34min across two matches; Draper, about 5h45min.
Saturday’s schedule
Fonseca and Draper’s match follows Badosa vs. Kasatkina at 6:00 AM Brasília time and Jacquemot vs. Boisson. Prior matches may delay the 8:20 AM start. Other notable Saturday clashes include world No. 1 Jannik Sinner against France’s Arthur Fils and Coco Gauff versus Marie Bouzkova. Simonne-Mathieu tickets sold out for the morning session.
Stakes of the match
The clash is pivotal for Fonseca, who eyes his first Grand Slam round of 16, a feat not achieved by a Brazilian so young since Guga Kuerten. For Draper, it’s a chance to cement his top-5 status and reach Roland Garros’ second week. The winner faces either Portugal’s Henrique Rocha, ranked 200th, or Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik, 62nd, in the next round.
Fonseca’s draw opened after Alex de Minaur’s exit, but heavyweights like Sinner, Novak Djokovic, or Carlos Alcaraz loom in later stages.
Player preparation
Fonseca’s routine includes meditation and mobility drills, with his Brazilian coaching team emphasizing clay-court patience. Draper, guided by Wayne Ferreira, prioritized recovery after the Monfils marathon, focusing on physiotherapy and serve practice. Both held light training on Friday, with Fonseca refining serves and Draper honing returns.
- Fonseca’s regimen: Meditation, tactical analysis, and mobility work.
- Draper’s regimen: Physiotherapy, serve drills, and movement focus.
- Physical status: No reported injuries for either player.
Prize money at stake
Roland Garros 2025 boasts a prize pool exceeding 50 million euros. Reaching the round of 16 earns about 250,000 euros, up from 158,000 euros for the third round. For Fonseca, the funds could fuel his career, while Draper seeks the prestige of a deep Paris run. The match also offers 180 ATP points, with 360 for the fourth round.
Tournament highlights
Roland Garros 2025 features upsets and young talents. Besides Fonseca, Portugal’s Henrique Rocha and Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, who faces Cameron Norrie, stand out. Veterans like Djokovic, chasing a 25th Grand Slam, and Richard Gasquet, in his farewell, add depth. The event expects over 600,000 spectators, with daily sellouts.
- Emerging stars: Fonseca, Rocha, and Fearnley reach the third round.
- Brazilian milestone: Fonseca is the youngest Brazilian this far in Paris since 1963.
- Crowd records: Daily attendance peaks at major courts.
Broadcast and coverage
ESPN Brazil airs the match live with expert commentary, while Disney+ streams all courts. Ge.globo provides real-time updates with stats and play-by-play. The tournament’s WhatsApp channels, via ge.globo, share Olympic sports updates, including tennis. Brazilian viewership has surged, driven by Fonseca and Beatriz Haddad Maia’s doubles run.