MADRID — The rising star Jannik Sinner showcased his prowess, overpowering Spain’s own Rafael Jódar in a thrilling encounter.
Jódar’s inspiring journey met its match in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open, where he succumbed to Sinner with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (0) on Wednesday.
At just 19, Jódar has been climbing the ranks at an astonishing pace, impressing spectators in Madrid with victories over higher-ranked players.
“What a remarkable talent,” Sinner expressed on the camera lens post-match at the iconic Caja Magica center.
“He was a bit tense in the beginning, which is completely natural,” Sinner noted. “But as the match progressed, it turned into a good contest. My experience in tight situations helped me, but it was a solid match overall.”
Sinner had previously lauded the young Spaniard and was on-site to witness Jódar’s impressive victory over fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur in an earlier round.
“That’s part of why I came to watch him play, especially alongside João Fonseca,” Sinner shared. “I enjoy observing them since they could very well be future contenders. Every player presents a unique challenge, and it’s essential to adapt.”
The 24-year-old Sinner affirmed that Jódar possesses “all the tools necessary” to reach the upper echelons of tennis.
“Ultimately, it’s up to the player to take that step, but what he’s accomplishing is remarkable,” Sinner said. “At the same time, we shouldn’t place too much pressure on him. It can be overwhelming, but he comes from a good family background, which is beneficial. I believe he will achieve extraordinary results moving forward.”
Ranked 42nd, Jódar reached the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 event for the first time, becoming only the third Spaniard — joining the ranks of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz — to secure a main-draw victory in Madrid before turning 20.
Earlier this month, Jódar claimed his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech and progressed to the semifinals in Barcelona, a significant rise from being ranked outside the top 600 just a year prior. He cracked the top 100 in March.
“Jannik played exceptionally well throughout the match,” Jódar reflected. “I’m taking away many positives and aim to learn from this experience. I plan to revisit the match footage and analyze it for my future improvements.”
This victory marked Sinner’s 21st consecutive win, as he expertly defended all seven break points he faced. He is set to compete in the Madrid semifinals for the very first time, having now reached this stage in all nine ATP Masters 1000 events.
Next up for Sinner is a clash against either Barcelona champion Arthur Fils or Jiri Lehecka, as he pursues the historic goal of becoming the first player to win five Masters 1000 tournaments in succession.
