Joao Fonseca entered the Canada Masters in Toronto as the member of the top-50. However, the young Brazilian did not enjoy his run at the sixth Masters 1000 event of the season following a 7-6, 6-4 defeat to Tristan Schoolkate.
The Aussie ousted the Brazilian in an hour and 32 minutes after a rock-solid performance, notching his first top-50 victory and his second triumph at the Masters 1000 level.
The Perth native prevailed in the opener and grabbed an early break in the second set that carried him over the top. The 24-year-old took ten points more than the young gun.
Tristan dropped 14 points behind the initial shot and faced no break points. Fonseca could not stay in touch despite a solid effort, losing serve in the early stages of the second set and hitting the exit door.
Thus, a teenager extended his ups and downs, still waiting to claim three straight ATP wins after lifting his first ATP title in Buenos Aires in February. Both players hit more unforced errors than winners.
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Schoolkate had the upper hand in service winners and from the baseline. The lower-ranked player forged his win in the shortest range up to four strokes following more free points on his tally.
Joao faced a break point in the second game of the duel and denied it with a powerful forehand winner. They served well in the remaining games, and Fonseca provided a fine hold at 5-6 to introduce a tie break.
They exchanged early mini-breaks and served well in the upcoming points. The Aussie moved 5-4 in front with a fine attack and welcomed the rival's routine forehand error for a mini-break in the tenth point and two set points.
Schoolkate converted the second with an unreturned serve, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 52 minutes. Tristan secured five fine holds in the second set and kept the pressure on the other side.
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Joao missed two game points at 1-1 after the rival's return winner and experienced a break after the rival's sharp return and his mistake. Schoolkate needed no second invitationto bring the victory home from there.
The Aussie served well and held in game eight with a forehand winner for 5-3. Tristan served for a win at 5-4 and landed a service winner on a match point, sealing the deal and sending the young gun packing.
