Jacob Fearnley v Joao Fonseca: Free Tips, Prediction and Odds

British No.3 Jacob Fearnley takes to the court at Indian Wells tonight when he faces brilliant teenager Joao Fonseca in one of the most eye-catching first-round matches in the men's draw.

Fearnley's rise up the rankings over the last 12 months has been impressive - the Scot was outside the world's top 500 12 months ago and has since climbed to 81st in the world - and his reward is a place in a Masters 1000 draw for the first time.

However, the 23-year-old has been handed a tough task in California, having drawn the one opponent whom all the other unseeded competitors would've been desperate to avoid at this early stage.

Considered one of, if not the brightest prospect on the ATP Tour, Fonseca has already claimed an ATP Tour title this season, winning the Argentina Open last month, and the 18-year-old Brazilian is 3/10 to advance to a second-round tie against another Brit in Jack Draper. 

Despite being ranked only one place below world No.80 Fonseca, Fearnley, who reached the quarters of a Pau Challenger tournament when last seen, is the 5/2 outsider.

Jacob Fearnley v Joao Fonseca free betting tips and predictions

Joao Fonseca to win and under 21.5 games - 11/8

There is a big buzz around Fonseca, who Brazilian supporters believe could be their next Gustavo Kuerten, and it's no surprise to see him priced up as a strong favourite for this Indian Wells clash with Fearnley.

While Fearnley is five years Fonseca's senior, the pair have similar levels of ATP Tour experience. The Briton only graduated college in the US last year and is making his Masters 1000 debut, while Fonseca is also competing at this level for the first time.

Just one place splits them in the rankings and Fearnley is a tough competitor who is heading towards the top 50, but Fonseca looks to be a unique talent who could soon be challenging for the biggest titles on a regular basis.

The odds suggest he's already a contender - he is 25/1 to win the Indian Wells title at the first attempt and only seven players, all of them members of the world's top 10, are ahead of him in the market.

That illustrates the task which Fearnley faces, as does their only previous meeting, on the Challenger Tour in Canberra at the start of this year, when Fonseca ran out an easy 6-3 6-3 winner before going on to claim the title.

The Brazilian was dominant in that match, winning 77% of points behind his own serve and forcing nine break points compared to just one for Fearnley. He then flexed his muscles on the Grand Slam stage, beating world No.8 Andrey Rublev in straight sets at the Australian Open.

While still a raw talent, Fonseca is only getting better and Fearnley, who was unimpressive in Pau last month, losing in the quarter-finals to 147-ranked Lukas Klein, could prove powerless to stop him.

Fonseca is 10/11 to win in straight sets again, but the 11/8 on offer about him prevailing in a match that features fewer than 21.5 games looks more enticing.

Under 4.5 total breaks of serve in the match - 6/5

Given how well Fonseca served in their previous meeting, there could also be value in backing the match to feature under 4.5 breaks of serve.

The Brazilian saved the sole break point, that he allowed in that match, and was only broken three times in five outings in Canberra; then, he came through Australian Open qualifying without dropping his serve.

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Jacob Fearnley v Joao Fonseca odds

Jacob Fearnley - 5/2
Joao Fonseca - 3/10

View the full market and more odds for Jacob Fearnley v Joao Fonseca on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.