Fonseca to Face Shapovalov in Paris Rematch After Basel Victory

PARIS, France — Joao Fonseca will take to the court once again following his victory at the Basel tournament when he faces Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday in the Rolex Paris Masters. This matchup comes just days after their intense quarterfinal clash at Basel, where Shapovalov retired, allowing Fonseca to advance.

Last Friday, Fonseca was leading 4-1 in the third set when Shapovalov abruptly retired, giving the 19-year-old an unexpected edge. Fonseca had a remarkable run in Basel, reaching the semifinals and ultimately winning the title without dropping a set.

Despite his recent success, Fonseca should not be fatigued, as he played only four matches during the tournament. In contrast, Shapovalov’s status is less certain following his earlier retirement, which raised questions about his physical condition. Shapovalov, ranked 24th in the world, also competed in the Stockholm semifinals, adding to his workload.

As they prepare to meet in Paris, Shapovalov is known to perform better on faster surfaces, where he can struggle with unforced errors if rallies extend. This will be a crucial factor in their rematch.

In another first-round match, Valentin Vacherot, who has been on a Cinderella run recently, will compete against Jiri Lehecka. If Vacherot wins, he will face his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the second round. Vacherot defeated Rinderknech in the Shanghai Masters final earlier this season.

Vacherot reached the finals in Basel, providing him with strong momentum heading into Paris. However, Lehecka, ranked 18th, began the fall season strong but suffered an early exit in Basel.

The Rolex Paris Masters serves as a significant event in the tennis calendar, wrapping up the season for many players. Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is among those looking to claim the title. However, notable players like Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper have withdrawn due to injuries, leaving a competitive field for the remaining players.

The tournament will feature indoor hard courts, with a prize pool of 6,128,940 Euros at stake, alongside valuable ranking points.