The 18-year-old creates 13 break chances in straight-sets opener

Joao Fonseca made a sparkling return to the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday when he raced past Denmark’s Elmer Moller 6-2, 6-3 to set a second-round clash against 11th seed Tommy Paul.

Playing his first match of the European clay swing and one year on from becoming the youngest match winner in tournament history, the Brazilian seemed more than comfortable in the spotlight of Manolo Santana Stadium, capturing his 10th tour-level win of the season.

“I love playing on clay. I was born on the clay, so I like to play on it, even with altitude. I like to focus on my serves and play aggressive, so feeling good this week,” said the 18-year-old, who was playing his first match since a third-round run in Miami. “Me and my team felt it was a time to rest a little bit, focus, be at home, rest mentally. Then come here to do the clay season. Very happy with this win today.”

Fonseca adopted a deep return position against Moller’s first delivery, but stepped up to the baseline on second serves, zeroing in on aggressive returns. The teenager absorbed Moller’s booming backhand and redirected the ball with his own firepower, rushing the Dane from the baseline.

The No. 65 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, Fonseca created 13 break chances, converting four, according to Infosys ATP Stats. Fonseca, who won his maiden tour-level title on the Buenos Aires clay in February, did not face a break point.

Against Paul, Fonseca will aim for his third Top 20 victory this season. He beat World No. 9 Andrey Rublev at the Australian Open and No. 20 Ugo Humbert in Miami.

Moller, 21, won last week’s Oeiras Challenger before qualifying for the ATP Masters 1000 event.

It All Adds Up

Fonseca’s fellow #NextGenATP teen Martin Landaluce was also in action, but suffered a defeat to Cameron Norrie. The Briton saved a match point on serve in the second set and used that momentum to rally towards a 6-7(4), 7-5, 6-4 victory.

Lucky loser Gabriel Diallo raced past Zizou Bergs 6-1, 6-2 in just 57 minutes while Chilean Nicolas Jarry ousted German qualifier Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 6-2. Luciano Darderi was a 6-4, 6-4 winner against Quentin Halys. Lorenzo Sonego downed Miomir Kecmanovic 6-4, 7-6(5), improving to 4-2 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.