Jannik Sinner's coach Darren Cahill reveals Italian's bold prediction for Joao Fonseca amid Australian Open heroics

Jannik Sinner is not immune to the excitement surrounding rising star Joao Fonseca, who has advanced to the second round of the 2025 Australian Open by pulling off a massive upset after navigating through the qualifiers. The World No. 1 made a bold prediction for Fonseca's rapid rise in the ATP rankings.

After triumphing at the Next Gen ATP Finals, Fonseca made a statement in his Grand Slam main draw debut against ninth seed Andrey Rublev, claiming a 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-6(5) victory to reach the second round of the Australian Open. The Brazilian delivered a stellar performance, striking 51 winners during the two-hour and 23-minute battle.

Jannik Sinner's coach, Darren Cahill, who was commentating on the match for ESPN, was impressed by the 18-year-old's display. He also shed light on Sinner's prediction that Fonseca would break into the top 25 by the end of the season after starting the year as the World No. 113.

"I asked Jannik what ranking he thought Joao Fonseca would be in at the end of the year and he said, 'in the top 25,'" Cahill said.

The World No. 1 is not alone in predicting big things for Joao Fonseca's future, as Boris Becker has named the Brazilian his "dark horse" for the Australian Open title, and Andre Agassi's ex-coach Brad Gilbert has expressed his belief that the 18-year-old will qualify for the 2025 ATP Finals.

Fonseca, meanwhile, expressed his determination to match or even surpass Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz's exceptional accomplishments after following in the duo's footsteps by triumphing at the Next Gen ATP Finals. The Brazilian also shared his eagerness to compete against Alcaraz and Sinner on the Grand Slam stage, a dream he might achieve at the Melbourne Slam.

"I hope I can do the same or even better than what they have done and are doing and are going to do. I look forward to playing with them and I hope I can compete in big matches at Grand Slams. It is where I want to go," Fonseca told ATP.com.

Jannik Sinner to lock horns with Tristan Schoolkate in Australian Open 2R; Joao Fonseca to face Lorenzo Sonego

Jannik Sinner - Source: Getty

Following his win over Nicolas Jarry, Jannik Sinner will continue his title defense against Tristan Schoolkate in the second round of the 2025 Australian Open. The World No. 1 will face the winner of the match between Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Marcos Giron in the third round.

Subsequently, Sinner will likely lock horns with Hubert Hurkacz or Holger Rune in the fourth round, followed by a potential quarterfinal clash with home favorite Alex de Minaur.

Joao Fonseca, meanwhile, will take on Lorenzo Sonego in the second round, with Frances Tiafoe looming as his potential third-round opponent. The 18-year-old will likely meet last year's runner-up Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round, with Taylor Fritz or Ben Shelton potentially waiting in the quarterfinals.

If Joao Fonseca continues his dream run at the Australian Open and reaches the semifinals, he will likely square off against Jannik Sinner for a place in his maiden Grand Slam final.