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Madrid Open: Teen Sensation Jodar Sets Blockbuster Sinner Clash

Rafael Jodar has advanced to his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal at the Madrid Open after defeating Vit Kopriva 7-5, 6-0. The 19-year-old Spaniard is the sixth teenager to reach this stage at a Masters 1000 event this decade. Jodar will now face World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who is aiming for a record fifth consecutive Masters 1000 title. Sinner expressed excitement about facing the young talent, calling him a "big, big talent."

Key Points: Rafael Jodar vs Jannik Sinner: Madrid Open QF Preview

  • Rafael Jodar reaches first Masters 1000 quarterfinal
  • Jodar defeats Vit Kopriva 7-5, 6-0
  • Sets up first meeting with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner
  • Jodar has won 12 of last 13 matches
2 min read

Madrid Open: Jodar reaches first Masters 1000 QF, sets blockbuster clash with Sinner

Teenager Rafael Jodar reaches his first Masters 1000 quarterfinal at the Madrid Open, setting up a blockbuster clash with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

"I am super happy with my level today and at this tournament. - Rafael Jodar"

Madrid, April 28

Spain's Rafael Jodar advanced to his maiden quarterfinals, dispatching Vit Kopriva 7-5, 6-0 on home soil to set up a first meeting with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner at an ATP Masters 1000 event at the Madrid Open in Madrid on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old Spaniard thus became the sixth teenager to reach the last eight stage at a Masters 1000 event this decade, and is also the fourth wild card to advance to this stage in the history of the Madrid tournament.

"I am super happy with my level today and at this tournament," Jodar said. "It is special to play at home, in front of many people that I know and have come to support. I am super happy to play another match tomorrow," Jodar was quoted as saying by the ATP website.

"It is another opportunity. I will have to recover well and prepare the match as best as possible, as it will be another tough match."

Red-lining the ball, Jodar has blown away opponents in the past month. The 19-year-old has won 12 of his past 13 matches, lifting his maiden tour-level trophy in Marrakech and advancing to the semi-finals at the ATP 500 in Barcelona.

In Madrid, Jodar earned his first Top 10 win against Alex de Minaur, beat Joao Fonseca in the battle between the two 19-year-old stars, and overcame Jesper de Jong. The 19-year-old needed just 80 minutes to defeat Kopriva on a sun-baked Manolo Santana Stadium on Tuesday.

The former University of Virginia star Jodar saved both break points he faced against Kopriva and overpowered the Czech with the relentless baseline hitting that fans have become accustomed to seeing since the Spaniard competed at the Next Gen ATP Finals last December.

Jodar, currently No. 34 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, will next meet Sinner, who is aiming to become the first man in history to win five consecutive Masters 1000 crowns. The Italian defeated Cameron Norrie in the fourth round earlier on Tuesday and is excited for a first Lexus ATP Head2Head clash with Jodar.

"It would be good if I face him before Rome and then Roland Garros," Sinner said. "Here are very unique conditions. He is from Madrid, so he is very used to these conditions here... So very exciting, new player. Big, big talent. Let's see what's coming," he said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Great to see a wild card making the quarters! But let's be honest – Sinner is in a league of his own. The guy is chasing history with five straight Masters 1000 titles. Jodar will need a miracle to stop that train. Still, kudos to the Spanish teen for giving fans something to cheer about at home.
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Vikram M
🇮🇳 India really needs to take notes from Spain's tennis development system. At 19, Jodar is already playing Masters 1000 quarterfinals, while our players struggle to break into top 100. The academies, the infrastructure, the exposure – we're miles behind. Hope our federation is watching this closely. Well played, Jodar! 👏
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James A
Impressive run for Jodar, but Sinner is a different beast. The Italian's consistency and mental strength are unreal. Jodar might take a set, but not the match. Still, it's great for tennis to have new young talents pushing the established stars. The future is bright!
A
Ananya R
The way Jodar destroyed Kopriva 6-0 in the second set after a tight first set shows his maturity. And he's only 19! Sinner's comments about facing him before Roland Garros are also interesting – sounds like he's already thinking ahead. But Jodar could spoil those plans. Tennis is so unpredictable these days, that's why we love it! 🎾

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