Arthur Fils seeks revenge on Joao Fonseca on Day 1 of the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF | ATP Tour

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Fils seek revenge for Fonseca clash on Day 1 in Jeddah

Mensik faces Tien, Shang opens for Van Assche

December 17, 2024

The Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF kicks off on a glorious Wednesday, with all eight of the world's best players aged 20 and under playing in Jeddah.

2023 top seed Arthur Fils, who headlines the Blue Group evening session, will open his campaign against debutant Joao Fonseca, with the Frenchman aiming to overturn his 1-0 deficit in the Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Their clash will follow Jakub Mensik's third match against American Learner Tien.

The Red Group afternoon session pits second seed Alex Michelsen against fellow countryman and good friend Nishesh Basavareddy and hosts a first-round clash between fourth seed Shang Juncheng and last year's semi-finalist Luca Van Assche.

[1] Arthur Fils (FRA) vs [8] Joao Fonseca (BRA) [n.b 8 p.m.]
Having risen to No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings this year, Fils will start strong favorite to improve on his runner-up finish in Jeddah in 2023. However the top seed will have to be locked up from the start. as he faces tough competition.

Despite being the youngest and lowest-ranked competitor in the field, 18-year-old Fonseca is the only player with a perfect Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Fils, beating him to record his first victory earlier this year on the road. reaching the quarter-finals at home in Rio de Janeiro. Fonseca will be hoping to revive that form to spark a morning upset in Jeddah.

Arthur Fils” style=”width:100%;” src=”https://www.atptour.com/-/media/images/news/2024/12/17/12/31/fils-preview-jeddah-day -1.jpg”>_{^{Arthur Fils is the top seed in Jeddah for the second year in a row. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.}}

[3] Jakub Mensik (CZE) vs [5] Student Tien (USA) [n.b 7 p.m.]
After recording four wins over Top 10 opponents and claiming the 2024 ATP Young Player of the Year Award, Mensik has solidified his status as one of the tour's brightest prospects. The third seed will face Tien, another Jeddah starter who has won three ATP Challenger Tour titles and posted a 31-9 winning record throughout the year.

Known for his strong defense and unflappable style, Tien will look to extend his 28-match winning streak at all levels earlier this year as Mensik, one of the most aggressive strikers on the pitch, tries to wear him down.

[4] Shang Juncheng (CHN) vs [6] Luca Van Assche (FRA) [2 p.m.]
A semi-finalist in Jeddah in 2023, Van Assche will hope to bring that experience to his club debut against Shang, who is competing for the first time in the 20-and-under event. While experience often adds value, Shang's form throughout 2024 cannot be ignored.

The 19-year-old World No. 50, who sits more than 70 spots ahead of Van Assche (128) in the PIF ATP Rankings, became only the second Chinese player to win on the ATP Tour with his title in Chengdu.

_{^{Shang Juncheng hit a snag ahead of his first game in Jeddah on Wednesday. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.}}

[2] Alex Michelsen (USA) vs [7] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) [n.b 3 p.m.]
It will be a full circle moment for Michelsen and Basavareddy when they enter the Jeddah court on Wednesday. After playing together at grassroots level, the two Americans, now among the best 20-and-under players in the world, will battle for the opening win at the showpiece event.

While Michelsen has broken the Top 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings with deep runs at tour-level events in 2024, including finals in Newport and Winston-Salem, Basavareddy has won two Challenger Tour titles since October. Aiming for a first win in Jeddah after going 0-3 in the round robin earlier last year, Michelsen will hope to use the experience to get off the mark against his country.

GAME SCHEDULE – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024

AFTERNOON SESSION

It starts at 2:00 pm


[4] Shang Juncheng (CHN) vs [6] Luca Van Assche (FRA)

Not Before 3:00 pm
[2]
Alex Michelsen (USA) vs [7] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)

AFTERNOON SESSION

Not Before 7:00 pm


[3] Jakub Mensik (CZE) vs [5] Student Tien (USA)

[1] Arthur Fils (FRA) vs [8] Joao Fonseca (BRA)