Earlier in Eastbourne, upper -class Brazilian teenage Joao Fonseca claimed to win his first ATP tour over the grass by defeating Zizou Bergs of Belgium in three sets.

18-year-old Fonseca recovered from a peak tie-break necklace in the initial set, defeating Bergs 6-7 6-0 6-3 in nine consecutive hours and seven minutes claims nine consecutive games on his way.

Publicity continues Around Brazilian’s newest game superstar label youth. Fonseca ranks a career-high 57th position in the world, attracting global attention by defeating Andree Rublav at the Australian Open in January and fans including Novak Djokovic.

He will have another chance to test himself against the world’s best in the second round in Eastborn, where he will face champions and top seed Taylor Fritz.

“I am very happy to win my first match on the grass,” Fonseca said after her victory. “Eastborn is such a good place.

“In the second set, he was in trouble and I was more confident. In the third we both were nervous, so I just needed to focus on my service.

“Playing Fritz is a good experience, and the crowd is good – I see some Brazilian shirts, which are really good.”

The first set lasted for 66 minutes and was dominated by service without the same break point until a tie-break, which Bergs won 10–8.

Although Belgian levels fell significantly in the second set as Fonseca increased 6–0 in 24 minutes, scoring 25 points on eight of Bergs.

Bergs briefly stopped Fonseka’s speed in the decisive set, but a fully measured Half-Woli Fourhand Dink in court extended the teenager 4–2 before the match.