Joao Fonseca just got a massive break at the 2025 Swiss Indoors in Basel. The Brazilian teenager will advance straight to the quarter-finals after his second-round opponent Jakub Mensik pulled out with a left foot injury.
Both players had pretty tough opening matches in Basel. Fonseca took on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who wasn’t just any opponent – he was actually the defending champion and one of the biggest servers on tour.
Meanwhile, Mensik faced Henry Bernet in his first round.
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Fonseca handled his business efficiently, winning 7-6(6), 6-3 in straight sets. Mensik had a much tougher time, needing three sets to get through 7-6(1), 6-7(9), 6-3.
After his match, Mensik actually had really nice things to say about the 18-year-old Brazilian, who got a wild card to play in Basel.
"It was a really, really tough night. I’ve been in his [position] two years ago, and I know how it feels to be hungry and fight for every point, and I felt it from him today. He has such a huge game, a very aggressive style. One of his great things is his mental strength."
There was no hint of any injury concerns at that point.
But shortly before their scheduled second-round meeting, Mensik announced he couldn’t continue. The Czech player cited the left foot injury as the reason for stepping away from the tournament.
Mensik’s ATP Finals Dreams Take a Hit
This withdrawal is pretty devastating for Mensik’s season goals. He was one of the long-shot candidates to qualify for the ATP Finals in Turin.
Sure, he wasn’t among the favorites – it would’ve taken something pretty amazing for him to crack the top eight players.
But he still had a theoretical chance if everything went perfectly. That meant winning both Basel and the Paris Masters.
With his withdrawal from the ATP 500 event in Switzerland, that dream is officially over.
Fonseca Gets His Redemption Chance
This couldn’t have come at a better time for the Brazilian. Just a few weeks ago, Fonseca surprised everyone by withdrawing from the Shanghai Masters, explaining that he wanted to better prepare for the European indoor hardcourt season.
That decision looked questionable when two players outside the Top 50 ended up playing the Shanghai Masters final. Talk about a missed opportunity.
But now Fonseca gets to prove his strategy was right all along.
After losing in the first round of the European Open in Brussels, he’s suddenly in the quarter-finals of a much bigger tournament. His path to the semis looks pretty solid too.
His next opponent will be either Denis Shapovalov or Valentin Royer – both very winnable matches for someone with Fonseca’s aggressive style and mental toughness.
If he gets past that hurdle, going even further isn’t out of the question. Ben Shelton is the highest-seeded player in Fonseca’s half of the draw, but the American just returned from injury and is still finding his form.
Sometimes the best opportunities come when you least expect them.
