Fonseca and Melo Rally to Rio Glory on Home Soil
In a match that captured Brazil’s beating heart, Joao Fonseca and Marcelo Melo turned early stumbles into a triumphant doubles title at the Rio Open, their comeback fueled by crowd roar and tactical grit.
In the sun-drenched cauldron of Rio de Janeiro, where clay courts bake under February heat, Joao Fonseca and Marcelo Melo delivered a victory that felt predestined. The 19-year-old local sensation, teaming with the 42-year-old veteran for the first time at the Rio Open presented by Claro, overcame a 4-6 first-set loss to Constantin Frantzen and Robin Haase. Their 6-3, 10-8 rally in the decider, completed in one hour and 34 minutes, crowned them ATP 500 doubles champions on home turf, with Fonseca emerging as the youngest winner in the category since 2009.
The duo’s path included saving one match point against Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner in the semifinals, a clutch escape that built their resolve. They converted 68 percent of first-serve points, 28 out of 41, to steady the ship against the Dutch-German pair’s early pressure. Melo’s net instincts paired with Fonseca’s baseline firepower shifted the momentum, turning the super-tiebreak into a showcase of Brazilian resilience.
“It means a lot,” Fonseca said. “Sharing the court with Marcelo, what a pleasure, and it was a special week.”
Home energy sparks the turnaround
A raucous crowd, including ATP No. 1 Club member Andre Agassi in the stands, amplified every point as the Brazilians absorbed the initial setback. Fonseca’s heavy topspin forehands began landing down-the-line with precision, forcing Haase into defensive slices that Melo exploited with poaching volleys. This one–two rhythm disrupted Frantzen‘s inside-out attempts, pulling the match level and igniting chants that echoed off the Jockey Club Brasileiro walls.
For Melo, this marked his 41st tour-level title and a repeat from 2025 alongside Rafael Matos, but partnering the Rio native added deeper stakes. The clay’s slower bounce favored their patient patterns, allowing crosscourt exchanges to wear down opponents over extended rallies. Their triumph not only eased home expectations but positioned Fonseca for a doubles surge, his youth meshing seamlessly with Melo’s calm under fire.
“To be two Brazilians here in Rio and Joao is from here, makes it even more special,” added Melo. “Since the first match we said it was a special week for us, a special opportunity and we are very happy.”
Delray duo survives tiebreak thriller
Meanwhile, in Florida’s steady warmth, second seeds Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic claimed their first title together at the Delray Beach Open, edging Benjamin Kittay and Ryan Seggerman 6-7(3), 6-3, 11-9. The Croatian-American pair, currently 21st in the PIF ATP Doubles Teams Rankings, saved a championship point at 8-9 in the match tiebreak during their one-hour-40-minute battle. Mektic’s 33rd career title came via 70 percent first-serve efficiency, 45 of 57 points, in a debut head-to-head that tested their cohesion.
The hard courts amplified their aggressive serves, setting up Krajicek’s overheads and Mektic’s inside-out forehands to pierce the Americans’ returns. They faced just one break point, negating it with a down-the-line pass that exploited Seggerman’s positioning. This win breaks a string of close calls, injecting confidence as Acapulco’s hard courts await, where their quick transitions could build on this hard-earned momentum.
“The end was nerve-wracking but a great win for us,” Mektic said.
Both finals highlighted doubles’ blend of strategy and nerve, from Rio’s clay endurance to Delray’s pace. Fonseca and Melo’s home catharsis contrasts Krajicek and Mektic’s road resilience, signaling a 2026 tour where partnerships evolve under pressure. As these teams carry their trophies forward, the circuit’s doubles narrative gains fresh intensity.
“Any time you can string some wins together in a row, it’s a huge boost for us,” Krajicek added. “We’ll lean into that momentum, and we have the tournament in Acapulco, so we’ll try to continue working hard there and put our best game forward.”
