Match Recap
Rafael Jodar Secures First ATP Tour Semi-Finals in Marrakech
The 19-year-old leaps to No. 72 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings after a stunning performance
April 03, 2026
Grand Prix Hassan II
Rafael Jodar Shines in Marrakech Action
By Sam Jacot
In a remarkable achievement, Rafael Jodar has reached the semi-finals of the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, marking his first-ever progression to this stage in an ATP Tour event. His advancement came as Alexandre Muller retired from the match in the second set due to injury.
At the time of the retirement, the talented young Spaniard was commanding a score of 6-2, 2-0 after just 39 minutes of play in the ATP 250 clay-court tournament.
“It was tough out there today,” Jodar commented during his on-court interview. “Winning this way isn’t ideal, and I genuinely wish Alex a speedy recovery. I’m thrilled to be in the semi-finals but hoped for a different scenario.”
Jodar is now among a select group of teenagers to have reached the semi-finals in Marrakech during this century, joining the ranks of only one other player born in 2006 or later—two-time ATP Tour champion Joao Fonseca.
Over the past year, Jodar has experienced a breakthrough season, soaring from outside the Top 900 to achieving a career-high ranking of No. 89. After making his debut inside the Top 100 earlier this week, he now finds himself sitting at No. 73 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings. Remarkably, he is the second-youngest player in that elite list, just behind Fonseca.
With three ATP Challenger titles under his belt from 2025, Jodar is aiming for the biggest accolade of his career this week and will face either Luca Van Assche or Camilo Ugo Carabelli in his next match.
In other tournament news, experienced player Marco Trungelliti, 36, triumphed over third seed Corentin Moutet with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, marking his return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2018 in Umag. Currently ranked No. 85 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, Trungelliti is poised to become the oldest debutant in the Top 100 in 50 years come Monday.
He is set to compete against top seed Luciano Darderi in the semi-finals. The defending champion Darderi advanced by walkover after Yannick Hanfmann withdrew prior to their scheduled quarter-final match due to injury.
