Fils seeks revenge in Fonseca clash on Day 1 in Jeddah

The Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF begins with a flourish Wednesday, with all eight of the world’s best 20-and-under players in action in Jeddah.

Top seed and 2023 finalist Arthur Fils, who headlines Blue Group's evening session, will open his campaign against debutant Joao Fonseca, with the Frenchman aiming to overturn his 1-0 deficit in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. Their clash will follow third seed Jakub Mensik’s match against American Learner Tien.

Red Group’s afternoon session pits second seed Alex Michelsen against countryman and good friend Nishesh Basavareddy and hosts a first-time battle between fourth seed Shang Juncheng and last year's semi-finalist Luca Van Assche.

[1] Arthur Fils (FRA) vs [8] Joao Fonseca (BRA) [n.b 8 p.m.]
Having risen to a career high of No. 20 in the PIF ATP Rankings this year, Fils will start a firm favourite to improve on his runner-up finish in Jeddah in 2023. Yet the top seed will have to be locked in from the onset as he faces tough competition.

Despite being the youngest and lowest-ranked competitor in the field, 18-year-old Fonseca is the only player to own a positive Lexus ATP Head2Head record against Fils, having beaten him to record his maiden tour-level win earlier this year en route to reaching the quarter-finals on home soil in Rio de Janeiro. Fonseca will hope to reignite that form to spark an early upset in Jeddah.

Arthur Fils is the top seed in Jeddah for the second straight year. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour.

[3] Jakub Mensik (CZE) vs [5] Learner Tien (USA) [n.b 7 p.m.]
Having recorded four victories over Top 10 opponents and claimed ATP Newcomer of the Year Award in 2024, Mensik has cemented his status as one of the Tour’s brightest prospects. The third seed will face Tien, another Jeddah debutant who has won three ATP Challenger Tour titles and posted a 31-9 win-loss record across the year.

Known for his resolute defence and tactful style, Tien will look to draw on his 28-match win streak at all levels earlier this year as Mensik, one of the most aggressive ballstrikers in the field, attempts to wear him down.   

[4] Shang Juncheng (CHN) vs [6] Luca Van Assche (FRA) [2 p.m.]
A semi-finalist in Jeddah in 2023, Van Assche will hope to bring that experience into his opening group match against Shang, who is competing at the 20-and-under event for the first time. While experience often adds value, Shang’s form across 2024 cannot be ignored.

The 19-year-old World No. 50, who sits over 70 spots higher than Van Assche (128) in the PIF ATP Rankings, became just the second Chinese player to triumph on the ATP Tour with his title in Chengdu. 

Shang Juncheng hits the court ahead of his debut in Jeddah on Wednesday. Photo Credit: Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour. 

[2] Alex Michelsen (USA) vs [7] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) [n.b 3 p.m.]
It will be a full-circle moment for Michelsen and Basavareddy when they step on the court in Jeddah on Wednesday. Having played together through the junior ranks, the two Americans, who are now among the best 20-and-under players in the world, will battle to secure an opening win at the showpiece event.

While Michelsen has cracked the Top 50 in the PIF ATP Rankings with deep runs at tour-level events in 2024, including the final in Newport and Winston-Salem, Basavareddy has clinched two Challenger Tour titles since October. Aiming for a first win in Jeddah after going 0-3 in the round-robin stage on debut last year, Michelsen will hope to draw on experience to get off the mark against his countryman. 

ORDER OF PLAY - WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024
AFTERNOON SESSION

Starts at 2:00 pm
[4] Shang Juncheng (CHN) vs [6] Luca Van Assche (FRA)

Not Before 3:00 pm [2]
Alex Michelsen (USA) vs [7] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA)

EVENING SESSION

Not Before 7:00 pm
[3] Jakub Mensik (CZE) vs [5] Learner Tien (USA)
[1] Arthur Fils (FRA) vs [8] Joao Fonseca (BRA)

[NEWSLETTER FORM]