João Fonseca, a 19-year-old Brazilian tennis prodigy, takes on Czech Tomas Machac, world number 22, this Wednesday, August 27, 2025, in the second round of the US Open in New York. The match, set for the Grandstand court, is scheduled to start around 1:30 PM (Brasilia time), following the game between Emma Navarro and Caty McNally. Live coverage will be available on ESPN 2, SporTV 3, and the Disney+ streaming platform. After a convincing debut against Miomir Kecmanovic, Fonseca aims to advance to the third round of the American Grand Slam, while Machac, the 2024 mixed doubles Olympic champion, promises a tight contest. This is their first-ever professional meeting, heightening anticipation among Brazilian fans.
Fonseca’s first-round win, a 3-0 sets victory with scores of 7/6, 7/6, and 6/3, showcased his resilience despite a physical setback. The world number 45 Brazilian relies on his powerful forehand and crowd energy to overcome the Czech. Machac, meanwhile, comes off a dominant win over Luca Nardi, 6/3, 6/1, and 6/1, proving his strength on hard courts.
- Match time: Starting around 1:30 PM (Brasilia time) on the Grandstand court.
- Live broadcast: ESPN 2, SporTV 3, and Disney+ (streaming).
- Crowd boost: Brazilian fans expected to create a vibrant atmosphere.
Details of the unprecedented duel
The clash between João Fonseca and Tomas Machac marks their first encounter on the ATP professional circuit. Fonseca, coached by Guilherme Teixeira at Yes Tennis in Rio de Janeiro, praised his opponent’s consistency over recent years. Machac, 24, is known for his aggressive play, featuring a two-handed backhand and swift court movement. His ATP 500 Acapulco title in March 2025 and Olympic gold in mixed doubles at Paris 2024 underline his big-stage experience.
Fonseca, in his first full season on the elite tour, is riding high. With an ATP 250 title in Buenos Aires and a standout win over Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open, the Brazilian arrives confident. His US Open debut, where he was the 2023 junior champion, featured 51 winners against Kecmanovic. The match promises balance, with betting sites like Bet365 showing near-even odds, slightly favoring Machac (1.92 vs. 1.89 for Fonseca).
Bom dia com lembrete:
— João Fonseca Updates (@fonsecaupdates) August 27, 2025
Hoje tem João Fonseca! 🇧🇷🎾
🆚Tomáš Macháč
Por volta das 13h30 na ESPN2, Disney+ Premium e SporTv3. pic.twitter.com/StSh9yBMG7
Where and how to watch live
Fans in Brazil can catch the match through multiple platforms, ensuring broad access. ESPN 2, available on cable TV, offers detailed commentary and tactical analysis, while SporTV 3 caters to Brazilian audiences with local narrators. For streaming, Disney+ Premium provides high-quality coverage, accessible on mobile devices or smart TVs.
- ESPN 2: Available on cable packages, coverage starts at 12 PM.
- SporTV 3: Tailored for Brazilian viewers with Portuguese commentary.
- Disney+ Premium: Live streaming, perfect for flexible viewing.
- Betfair TV: Free streaming for platform subscribers.
The match time may shift slightly depending on the duration of the prior Navarro vs. McNally game on the Grandstand. For real-time updates, ge.globo.com offers minute-by-minute coverage of every point.
Fonseca’s path at the US Open 2025
João Fonseca is in top form for the US Open. Ranked 45th, he reached the third round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year but fell in the second round at the Australian Open. Beating Machac would match his best Grand Slam run and could push him toward the ATP top 40, a stated goal for 2025.
The Brazilian excels on hard courts, with a 79.9% service game win rate, per tournament data. His preparation included intense training with players like Taylor Fritz and Alex De Minaur, focusing on quick transitions and serve precision. Skipping the ATP 250 in Winston-Salem to prioritize training reflects his strategic approach to the American Grand Slam.
Tomas Machac’s profile
Tomas Machac, Fonseca’s opponent, is a rising star on the ATP Tour. At 24, the Czech has faced top players like Novak Djokovic, whom he defeated in Geneva 2024, and Casper Ruud. His 2024 US Open run to the round of 16 was his best Grand Slam result to date.
Despite a shaky pre-US Open stretch, with four losses in five matches, Machac regained form against Nardi. His game blends tactical variety and solid defense, challenging Fonseca’s aggressive style.
- Acapulco title: First ATP 500 trophy, won in 2025.
- Olympic gold: Mixed doubles medal at Paris 2024 with Katerina Siniakova.
- Playing style: Combines strong defense with precise baseline attacks.
Duel expectations
The Fonseca vs. Machac match is highly anticipated, especially by Brazilian fans, who see the young Carioca as a beacon for national tennis. The Grandstand crowd, known for its energy, is expected to rally behind Fonseca with chants and support, as seen in his debut.
Analysts predict a close contest, with potential for long sets. Sports Mole forecasts a Fonseca win in four sets, citing his ability to upset higher-ranked players. However, Machac’s experience, with 16 wins against non-top-40 players in 2025 per ATP data, makes him a formidable foe.
Potential tournament outcomes
A victory would send Fonseca to the third round, facing either Jakub Mensik, another young Czech, or France’s Ugo Blanchet. Mensik, ranked 16th, is the favorite and a familiar foe, having lost to Fonseca at the 2024 NextGen Finals. Such a matchup would add intrigue. Advancing to the third round would earn Fonseca about R$1.28 million in prize money and 90 ranking points, nearing the top 40.
The US Open 2025, with its record R$487 million prize pool, is the final Grand Slam of the year and a global spotlight. For Fonseca, it’s a chance to cement his rise and inspire Brazil’s next generation of tennis players.
