Fonseca in Melbourne stunner, Medvedev survives big scare

BRAZILIAN teenager Joao Fonseca stunned ninth seed Andrey Rublev in a major Australian Open shock on Tuesday as racquet-smashing 2024 finalist Daniil Medvedev narrowly avoided the same fate.

- AGENCIES @Melbourne

A rampant Taylor Fritz, veteran Gael Monfils and home hope Alex de Minaur also all progressed into round two at Melbourne Park.

In the women's draw, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina were both emphatic winners on day three, with Emma Navarro and Emma Raducanu also victorious.

But the day belonged to the 18-year-old Fonseca, who defeated Russia's Rublev 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) on his Grand Slam debut. Roared on by Brazilian fans decked out in yellow, Fonseca appeared totally unfazed as he set up a second-round meeting with Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.

"It's the first time playing in a huge stadium," he told an energised Margaret Court Arena. "There are a lot of Brazilians here cheering for me and I enjoyed every moment, thanks a lot."