Brazilian falls to Mensik on Tuesday night

Joao Fonseca fell short in his first major quarter-final Tuesday at Roland Garros against Jakub Mensik, but leaves Paris with his head held high.

“Tough match today, but really positive week,” Fonseca said. “Played good tennis this week, and coming from a little injury and not having any expectations for this tournament and [I still made] a great run. So, yeah, like I said, tough today, but for sure this is a positive week.”

After the Brazilian competed for a place in the semi-finals of the second Grand Slam tournament of the season, it is easy to forget that he nearly did not emerge from the second round.

Fonseca trailed Dino Prizmic two sets to none, then fell behind 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic by the same margin in the second round.

But the 19-year-old showed his resilience on the French clay, advancing as far as ever in a major draw.

“This tournament gives me more conviction and more confidence to keep going,” Fonseca said. “And for sure understanding a little bit more body and my limits.”

According to the No. 25 player in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, he has grown to know “a little bit better his limits” this fortnight. Fonseca did not know if he could handle a five-hour match, but he passed a four-hour, 53-minute test against Djokovic with flying colours.

“I never saw my limit yet, but I already know that I can be comfortable with my [physical side],” Fonseca said. “I think it's more comfortable with my game, the way that I'm playing, that my mentality is on the right path. I think after two matches that I had, losing the first two sets and then trying to do another thing and trying to find other ways to play, and got through.

“So, yeah, I think maybe it's the same Joao, but with finding new stuff.”

Fonseca was also highly complimentary of his opponent, Mensik, whom he said “has a really good potential”. The Czech was victorious in straight sets to reach his first major semi-final.

“His serve is amazing. The way he dealt with the important points is also really impressive,” Fonseca said. “I think he controlled most of the part of the match, serving pretty well and doing the entrance with the return pretty well, as well.

“His return, both first and second serve, are pretty into the court, and he puts a lot of pressure on the opponent. Today he missed a very small amount of returns. I think that put me in a tough position today.”

Although Fonseca fell short of an even bigger breakthrough, there were many positives in his effort in Paris. Now, the Brazilian will briefly reset at home before beginning his grass-court season.

“I did my best today. I think I put all I had on court, but yeah, unfortunately it was Jakub's day,” Fonseca said. “He played good tennis. I wish him good luck.”