Carioca João Fonseca, 18, will be the first athlete of the Brazilian team to debut against France in the first round of the Davis Cup qualifiers, the Men’s World Cup. After draw this Friday (31), it was defined that Fonseca, Newly raised to 99th place in the world ranking, He will face Ugo Humbert (15th), at 10:30 am (Brasília time) this Saturday (31), in Orleans (France), in the first of five games on hard and covered courts. Following, the Paraná Thiago Wild (76th) faces Arthur Fils (19th).
“It is an opportunity to represent and honor Brazil. For me, it is amazing to be part of this and we want to put our tennis among the main ones in the world, just like last year, Fonseca said, referring to the country’s return to the Davis Cup in 2024 after a nine-year hiatus. “The battle is coming. They have an excellent team, just as Brazil as well. Our group is extremely strong and united, which makes a difference in team competitions.”
At 10am on Sunday (2), there will be double confrontation among Brazilians Rafael Matos (#38th – double ranking) and Marcelo Melo (#39th) and the French Benjamin Bonzi (#287th) and Pierre -Hugas Herbert (#277) . Then the numbers 1 of each country will face: Thiago Wild will duel with Arthur Fils.
“We count on the fans of all”
If the captain said, it’s spoken!
Bora, team Brazil BRB !!!! pic.twitter.com/jozkupetjy
– CBT (@cbtenis) January 31, 2025
According to the regulation, if there is a draw after the four matches, the fifth and last game will be held, also with defined opponents: João Fonseca against Arthur Fils.
Last Tuesday (28), the captain of the Brazilian team Jaime Oncins began to train all the summoned – the national quintet also has Matheus Pucinelli (#302º) – at Palais des Sports, same place as the Davis Cup matches. The coach is aware of the favoritism of the hosts.
“We already knew the possibilities and adversities of playing here against France. So we won [tempo] During the week to make the team ready, regardless of training, ”said Oncins. “If you put it on paper, France is a favorite for rankings and the environment, but I really believe in our time. It is a situation similar to some recent clashes we had, as against Denmark, ”compared the coach, referring to victories against Danes and Swedes in recent years.
If you advance to the main phase, Brazil will seek the unpublished title of the Davis Cup. Four times the hopscotch has reached the semifinals: 1966 and 1971 (editions held in the former team access and descent) and also in the years 1992 and 2000.
Format
The competition qualifiers are divided into two rounds. If Brazil advances, it will follow the winner of Croatia and Slovakia, at a date and time yet to be released.
In all, the qualifiers bring together 26 selections of the world tennis elite and only 13 of them advance to the main phase of the competition, which usually takes place in September. The 13 classifieds will join Italy, champion last year. This year, however, there was a change in the format of the dispute: the group stage was replaced by the knockout game format.
The main phase matches – seven classifieds plus Italy, current champion – will be defined after the end of the two rounds. The duels will be in Bologna (Italy).
