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Match Details
Fixture: (6) Luca Van Assche vs (8) Joao Fonseca
Date: December 21, 2024
Tournament: Next Gen ATP Finals
Round: Semifinals
Venue: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Category: Year-end championships
Surface: Hard (Indoor)
Prize Money: $2,050,000
Live Telecast: US - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky Sports | Canada - TSN5
Luca Van Assche vs Joao Fonseca preview
Luca Van Assche will take on Joao Fonseca in the semifinals of the Next Gen ATP Finals 2024 on Saturday (December 21).
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Van Assche needed four sets to beat Shang Juncheng in his opening match of the group stage. He won the first set against Alex Michelsen in his next group tie but eventually lost the match in four sets. He found himself in a do-or-die situation against Nishesh Basavareddy in his final group match.
The first set went to a tie-break, in which Basavareddy outclassed Van Assche to claim the set. The second set also went to a tie-break, and the Frenchman saved a set point in it to take the set.
It was smooth sailing for Van Assche after that. He broke Basavareddy's serve once in each of the next two sets to register a 3-4 (2), 4-3 (7), 4-2, 4-2 win and advance to the semifinals here for the second year in a row.
Fonseca secured an upset win over top seed Arthur Fils after beating him in five sets in his first match of the round-robin phase. He was off to a strong start against Learner Tien in his next match and nabbed the first two sets without the loss of a game. He then overcame a third-set stumble to win the match in four sets.
Fonseca was up against third seed Jakub Mensik in the final group tie. The Brazilian teenager lost the first set in a tie-break and won the next two sets in the same manner.
Mensik stormed back from the brink of defeat to take the fourth set, also in a tie-break. The final set also went the distance, and Fonseca edged out his opponent in the tie-break to score a 3-4 (4), 4-3 (3), 4-3 (2), 3-4 (4), 4-3 (5) win.
Luca Van Assche vs Joao Fonseca head-to-head
This will be the first meeting between them, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0.
Luca Van Assche vs Joao Fonseca odds
(Odds are sourced from BetMGM)
Luca Van Assche vs Joao Fonseca prediction
Fonseca has made a strong impression on his debut here. He had the hardest path to the semifinals and scored noteworthy wins over No. 20 Fils and No. 48 Mensik to make the last four and remain unbeaten during the group stage.
Van Assche fought his way to the semifinals of the tournament for the second consecutive edition. Despite competing in more ATP events than Fonseca this year, both have the same number of main draw wins now, with 10 victories apiece.
Fonseca is the lowest-ranked and the youngest player in the Next Gen ATP Finals draw. However, he has played with the decisiveness that rivals some of the veterans. Having made his way through the draw without a loss so far, he will be expected to continue his winning ways against Van Assche as well.
Pick: Joao Fonseca to win in four sets.
