Jodar Triumphs Over Fonseca in Epic Madrid Clash
Spanish wildcard continues remarkable journey on home turf
April 26, 2026
Thomas COEX / AFP via Getty Images
Rafael Jodar advances to his first ATP Masters 1000 fourth round.
By Grant Thompson
Rafael Jodar took down Joao Fonseca on Sunday at the prestigious Mutua Madrid Open, marking the beginning of a rivalry that could unfold for years to come.
The 19-year-old Jodar fought valiantly against the 27th seed, clinching victory with a score of 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1 in a highly awaited third-round bout featuring the only teenagers ranked in the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings.
“It was an incredibly challenging match,” Jodar commented, reflecting on his earlier success in the second round where he achieved a stunning upset over Alex de Minaur, a Top 10 player. “Joao is always a tough competitor; matches like these come down to fine details and key moments. I believe I executed well in those moments, focusing on my game.”
With this victory, Jodar becomes the eighth teenager in Madrid tournament history to reach the Round of 16, joining illustrious names like Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
The electric atmosphere in Madrid was palpable as both players unleashed powerful shots. The first set showcased a battle of skill, with each player winning 40 of 80 total points. Fonseca, however, faltered in the tie-break, succumbing to three forehand errors that sealed his fate.
In the second set, the Brazilian surged back, breaking Jodar’s serve right away and impressing fans with a stunning forehand pass early in the third game. Both players jostled for control, but the late-night encounter was punctuated by stunning shot-making and an ongoing struggle for supremacy in rallies.
Jodar struck early in the deciding set, breaking Fonseca’s serve and extending his lead to a staggering 5-0. Following a frustrating moment where he slammed his racquet, Fonseca was unable to regain his momentum, while Jodar maintained his top-tier level throughout the third set, achieving his first ATP Masters 1000 fourth-round appearance.
Despite his age, Fonseca showcased flashes of brilliance when controlling the rallies with his forehand. Nevertheless, Jodar’s all-court power proved unyielding and consistently effective.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with my performance,” Jodar said after the match. “Now, it’s all about recovering well and gearing up for the next challenge.”
Next up for Jodar is Vit Kopriva, who advanced after Arthur Rinderknech was forced to retire due to a calf injury before they even began a deciding set. A potential quarter-final showdown against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner looms on the horizon.
With his remarkable rise, Jodar has climbed eight spots to No. 34 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, entering the clay-court season after winning 11 of his first 12 matches on clay. Earlier this month, he scored his first ATP Tour title in Marrakech.
Having turned pro at the start of this season and previously representing the University of Virginia in 2024 and 2025, Jodar secured three ATP Challenger titles last year and qualified for the Next Gen ATP Finals. Just a year ago, he was ranked No. 687 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
REMARKABLE RAFA 🔥#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/zjz2oOVQKU
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 26, 2026
