By Tony Fairbairn
- Jan Choinski [Q] def Joao Fonseca [WC] 6-2 6-7(5) 6-4
- Choinski v Hubert Hurkacz [2] | H2H: Hurkacz leads 1-0
ESTORIL, PORTUGAL – Jan Choinski is into the second round in Estoril after a tight victory over Joao Fonseca and will now play Hubert Hurkacz in a rematch from their clash at Wimbledon.
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Jan Choinski [Q] def Joao Fonseca [WC] 6-2 6-7(5) 6-4
Jan Choinski is into the second round in Estoril after a three set victory over talented 17 year-old Joao Fonseca. The Brit had to overcome a red-hot start from Fonseca, who was given time to pick his spot and find effortless winners from the baseline. However Choinski saved break point with some bold play in the opening game.
Eventually the Brazilian’s bright start was rewarded as the Brit was too passive, allowing Fonseca to string a host of backhand and forehand winners. This resulted in Fonseca breaking to love as he broke for a 2-1 lead. An immediate response was produced from Choinski though as he broke straight back in the following game.
There was a growing belief in Choinski’s game with the qualifier starting to predict Fonseca’s patterns of play while being more aggressive on serve. A good mix of defensive variety as well as attacking intent saw Choinski gain control of the match as he used depth to move Fonseca around the baseline. Two consecutive breaks of serve saw Choinski wrap up the opening set as the Brit showed his experience and patience to force unforced errors from the Brazilian.
In the second set both players started with aggressive intent as they looked to dictate the tempo of the match with Choinski creating some incredible angles on the forehand side. Early pressure on return from Choinski saw Fonseca having to save break point in the second game. Although Fonseca used good variety to save break points, the 17 year-old was only delaying the inevitable as Choinski comfortably sealed the pivotal break in the sixth game to love.
After securing the hold for 5-2, it was looking like Choinski would secure a comfortable straight sets win as he was only two points away from victory. However tennis is a sport decided by fine margins and Fonseca took victory away from Choinski with some brutal hitting on the backhand side when under pressure. A well-executed drop shot from Fonseca sealed an impressive passage of play as he broke back as the match was back on serve.
The Brazilian threatened to secure another break of serve before Choinski produced some consistently aggressive serving in order to force the tiebreak. However to the delight of the Portuguese crowd that didn’t matter in the end as the Brazilian held his nerve in the tiebreak to level the match at one set all.
The final set was all about composure and Choinski showed plenty of that as he gathered his thoughts and produced an impressive opening game, creating three break points. However Fonseca responded in fine fashion as he produced big patterns of play to hold at the start of the set. Both players continued to show a consistent all-round game as Fonseca used his quick hands at the net to gain the initiative in the set.
However a lapse of concentration from the baseline allowed Choinski to capitalize as he grabbed the crucial break for a 4-3 lead. There was still a lot of work for the Brit to do as Fonseca looked for the break back. However Choinski saved a break point and he closed out the match with a stunning sliding volley as he booked his place in the second round.
Jan Choinski [Q] v Hubert Hurkacz [2] H2H & Match Fundamentals
| Jan Choinski [Q] v Hubert Hurkacz [2] | H2H: Hurkacz leads 1-0 |
| ATP Estoril 2024 | Estoril, Portugal |
| Clay (O) | Prize Money: €10,165 |
| First on Estadio Millennium (12:00 BST) | Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required |
Next for Choinski is second seed Hubert Hurkacz which is a rematch of their second round match from Wimbledon which Hurkacz won.
Tale of the Tape – Key Stats (2024)
| H2H: | Jan Choinski (WR 188) | Hubert Hurkacz (WR 10) |
| Tournament Previous Best | N/A | R2 (2023) |
| 1st Serve % | 64.5 | 63.8 |
| Service Games Won % | 80.6 | 90.7 |
| Break Points Saved % | 45.5 | 64.3 |
| 2nd Serve Return Points Won % | 45.5 | 48.3 |
| Break Points Converted % | 41.7 | 35.8 |
Choinski has the edge on return but the Brit will find it difficult to break Hurkacz given the Pole’s efficiency on serve this season.
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Playing styles and prediction
After a consistent start to the season, Hurkacz will be disappointed to have only picked up two victories over Indian Wells and Miami. Now the world number ten will be hoping for a response over the clay court season as he will look to regain the momentum that saw him narrowly miss out on a place at the Australian Open semi-finals in January.
Choinski will look to test Hurkacz’s confidence as he will work the angles aiming to find space on the court in order to hit winners. Meanwhile Hurkacz will look to be precise on serve as he will use the forehand to force Choinski behind the baseline. The Brit should test Hurkacz given it’s the Pole’s first match on the clay but Hurkacz’s quality in shot-making and movement should prove too strong for the Brit.
Prediction: Hurkacz in three sets.
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