Fonseca shines little and loses to qualifier in Cincinnati

The game started off complicated for the Brazilian, who had to face five break points in his very first service game. Fonseca managed to save all of them. In the third game, Atmane had two more break chances after two unforced errors from the Brazilian. João saved the first one but hit another forehand wide, losing his serve. Serving well and being aggressive with his forehand, the left-handed Frenchman quickly opened up a 4-1 lead. Atmane maintained the advantage and served for the set at 5-3. Fonseca saved two set points, but the European hit an undefendable forehand to close out the set at 6-3. João finished the first set with five winners and 12 unforced errors. The situation worsened for the Brazilian when, after three more unforced errors, he lost a break in the first game of the second set. Atmane took advantage and went from 0-30 in the following game to go up 2-0. More mistakes followed from the Brazilian. A long forehand gave another break to the Frenchman, who led 3-0 and soon extended it to 4-0. Fonseca’s first break points came in the sixth game, after a trio of errors from Atmane. The Frenchman saved the first one with a good net approach but hit a forehand into the net on the second, giving the Brazilian hope. João closed the gap to 4-3, but Atmane held his serve to move within one game of victory. In the ninth game, the Brazilian once again gave away points and faced two match points. Atmane wasted the first one with a backhand error, and Fonseca saved the second by approaching the net. Atmane was aiming to reach the round of 16 in a Masters 1000 for the first time in his career and, with the opportunity to serve for the match, he did so impressively, denying any chances to the carioca.