Fonseca vs Shelton: What Munich didn't settle, Montreal will decide

João Fonseca beat Ruud again. Straight sets, no scares. What was already difficult has become routine against the Norwegian, and that says more about the Brazilian than about any supposed curse of his opponent.

Now comes what matters. Fonseca and Shelton meet again in the Montreal round of 16, and this time the scenario changes. In Munich, Fonseca beat the American in the ATP 500 final. Fine win. But indoor hard court, different surface, different atmosphere.

Montreal is outdoor synthetic, Canadian, summer, heavy balls. Shelton is the defending champion here. He’s defending points, knows the place, has felt the court give and take. Fonseca hasn’t.

Look at what that means. The Munich win proved the Brazilian has the tools to trouble him. Proving it again, on the other’s territory, is another story. Shelton serves big, plays aggressive, isn’t afraid to trade blows. Fonseca will need his serve working as a weapon, not just as a point starter.

The tactics are clear. The American likes high rhythm, short balls, volleys. Fonseca has to extend points, make it physical, make it mental. At 19, the Rio native has shown he can handle grinders. Handling a former champion in form where he feels at home — that we haven’t seen yet.

The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time. Brazilians awake will follow in the early morning hours.

If he gets through, Fonseca enters Masters 1000 quarterfinal territory. If he doesn’t, he still takes away a lesson about what’s missing to repeat Munich in adverse conditions. Neither result defines a career. But it defines plenty about where the Brazilian really stands now, against the top that matters.