Fonseca and Melo’s Gripping Rio Comeback
Joao Fonseca shook off singles frustration to join Marcelo Melo in a doubles semifinal escape at the Rio Open, saving a match point in a tense decider that promises home glory on Sunday.
Under Rio de Janeiro’s humid night sky, Joao Fonseca transformed a week’s disappointment into doubles determination. Partnering with Marcelo Melo, the young Brazilian outlasted Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner 6-2, 2-6, 13-11 in the Rio Open presented by Claro semifinal, rallying from 2-5 down in the match tie-break and saving a match point at 8-9. This 89-minute battle marked Fonseca’s first tour-level doubles final, blending his athletic reach with Melo’s veteran poise on the red clay.
Erasing the singles sting
Fonseca’s second-round singles loss to Ignacio Buse still echoed as he returned to court two days later, the defeat’s quick points a stark contrast to doubles’ extended exchanges. With Melo, 23 years his senior, the pair seized the first set through aggressive returns, breaking twice to lead 6-2 and pinning the Germans behind the baseline with heavy topspin. The crowd’s rising cheers fueled their early dominance, turning personal setback into shared momentum on a surface that demands endurance.
The Germans struck back in the second set, using inside-out forehands to stretch the net and force errors, leveling the score at one set each. Fonseca adjusted by tightening his volleys, converting defensive lobs into crosscourt winners, while Melo‘s slice backhands disrupted rhythm. They won 70 per cent of first-serve points (45/57) and saved two of four break points, per ATP Stats, their partnership forging resilience amid the clay’s slow grip.
Veteran guidance ignites fire
Melo, advancing to his 79th tour-level final and eyeing a 41st title, drew on his 2025 Rio triumph alongside Rafael Matos to navigate the tie-break pressure. His one-two combinations—deep serve into down-the-line forehand—neutralized Schnaitter and Wallner‘s baseline grinding, especially after trailing 2-5. Fonseca’s net poaches added edge, his focus sharpening to flip the script in this maiden head-to-head clash.
The match point save hinged on a desperate lob from Fonseca, drawing a high volley error from Wallner under crowd roar. This shift highlighted Melo’s tactical depth, varying pace with underspin drops to keep opponents off-balance. For Fonseca, the win rebuilt confidence, easing the weight of rising expectations in a breakout season.
Final clash brews intensity
Ahead waits Constantin Frantzen and Robin Haase, who upset third seeds Guido Andreozzi and Manuel Guinard 7-6(15), 2-6, 10-8 in the other semifinal. The Dutch-German pair’s tie-break tenacity poses a test, their flat shots challenging the Brazilians’ topspin game on Rio’s high-bouncing clay. Home favorites Fonseca and Melo can leverage crowd energy for serve holds and poach opportunities, potentially capping the week with a title that blends redemption and legacy.
As Sunday approaches, this semifinal’s clutch escapes underscore mental fortitude, with Fonseca’s adjustments—from crosscourt passes to inside-in finishes—signaling growth. Melo’s steady hand ensures the duo enters the final poised, ready to convert national support into another Rio trophy.
