Rafael Jodar Makes History at ATP Masters 1000 in Shanghai
Jodar's Remarkable Journey Continues
File image of Rafa Jódar(Photo: @PedroFullanaSER/X)
Shanghai, Oct 16: Rafael Jodar triumphed over Casper Ruud on Friday, marking his fourth straight win after losing the first set at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Jodar managed to break Ruud's serve five times during the second and third sets, securing a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory that lasted two hours and 20 minutes. This win makes him the youngest player to reach the semi-finals in the event's history.
With this victory, Jodar has significantly improved his chances of qualifying for the ATP Finals in his inaugural full season on the ATP Tour. He has moved ahead of both Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur, now sitting ninth in the ATP Live Race to Turin.
Ruud took the first set by breaking in the 10th game and then leveled the second set at 2-2 with an early break. However, Jodar began to take control of the match.
After breaking for a 5-4 lead and serving out the second set without dropping a point, Jodar broke Ruud’s serve three times in the final set to clinch a notable win against the World No. 24. Since July, he has an impressive record of 10-2 against Top-30 players.
Next, Jodar will face either Daniil Medvedev, who is just ahead of him in the live rankings, or Tommy Paul for a chance to compete in the championship match.
Jodar's compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina also advanced to the semi-finals, marking only the fifth occasion since 2014 that multiple Spaniards have reached the semi-finals at the same Masters 1000 event, according to ATP reports.
Earlier in the tournament, Jodar defeated Botic van de Zandschulp with a score of 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-2 in a match that lasted two hours and 30 minutes, making him the second-youngest quarter-finalist in Shanghai history.
Jakub Mensik holds the record as the youngest quarter-finalist at the Shanghai Masters, achieving this milestone at the age of 19 during the 2024 event.