Numbers do not lie: The fiery Spaniard has been en fuego in Shanghai this yr.
Chris OddoOctober 17, 20263 minute learn
Rafael Jodar’s extraordinary run on the Shanghai Masters continued on Saturday, because the 20-year-old Spaniard defeated World No. 6 Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 6-4, to achieve the most important last of his younger profession.
It was a breakthrough efficiency that capped a exceptional week of resilience and record-breaking achievements for the rising Spanish star.
Listed here are 5 milestones Jodar has achieved throughout his sensational run in Shanghai.
1. Youngest Shanghai Finalist in Historical past
At 20, Jodar has change into the youngest participant to achieve the Shanghai Masters last, surpassing each earlier finalist because the event’s inception in 2009.
The Spaniard will bid for his maiden Masters 1000 title on Sunday, having already made historical past along with his five-match run to the championship match.
2. Largest Profession Win Towards Medvedev
Jodar’s 6-3, 6-4 semifinal victory over sixth-ranked Daniil Medvedev represents the highest-ranked opponent he has defeated in his skilled profession.
It was simply his second Prime 10 victory in seven profession conferences with gamers ranked contained in the elite group.
3. Ninth Participant Beneath 21 to Document 20 Masters 1000 Wins in a Season
Along with his victory over Medvedev, Jodar turned simply the ninth participant because the ATP Masters 1000 collection started in 1990 to document not less than 20 match wins at that stage in a single season earlier than turning 21.
Gamers to Document 20 ATP Masters 1000 Wins in a Season Earlier than Turning 21 (Since 1990)
| Participant | Yr (Wins) |
|---|---|
| Jim Courier | 1991 (20) |
| Marcelo Rios | 1996 (20) |
| Marat Safin | 2000 (21) |
| Lleyton Hewitt | 2001 (22) |
| Rafael Nadal | 2005 (28), 2006 (23), 2007 (22) |
| Novak Djokovic | 2007 (24) |
| Alexander Zverev | 2017 (21) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 2023 (25) |
| Rafael Jodar | 2026 (20) |
He joins an unique group that includes Jim Courier, Marcelo Rios, Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.
Solely Nadal, who was 19 when he recorded 28 Masters 1000 victories in 2005, has reached the milestone at a youthful age.
4. First Participant Born in 2006 to Attain a Masters 1000 Last
Jodar is the primary participant born in 2006 to achieve an ATP Masters 1000 last, including his identify to a distinguished checklist of gamers who have been the primary from their respective start years to achieve the milestone.
| Yr of Delivery | First Finalist |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Rafael Jodar (2026 Shanghai) |
| 2005 | Jakub Mensik (2025 Miami) |
| 2004 | Arthur Fils (2026 Cincinnati) |
| 2003 | Carlos Alcaraz (2022 Miami) |
| 2002 | Lorenzo Musetti (2025 Monte-Carlo) |
| 2001 | Jannik Sinner (2021 Miami) |
| 2000 | Felix Auger-Aliassime (2024 Madrid) |
The checklist contains Carlos Alcaraz (born 2003), Jannik Sinner (2001), Lorenzo Musetti (2002), Arthur Fils (2004) and Jakub Mensik (2005).
5. 4 Comebacks From a Set Down — A Uncommon Masters 1000 Feat
Maybe probably the most exceptional side of Jodar’s Shanghai marketing campaign has been his skill to beat adversity.
The Spaniard turned simply the second participant in Masters 1000 historical past to rally from a set down 4 occasions en path to the semifinals, becoming a member of American Todd Martin, who completed the feat on the 1998 Paris Masters.
Jodar defeated Thiago Agustin Tirante within the second spherical, Jiri Lehecka within the third spherical, Botic van de Zandschulp within the spherical of 16 and Casper Ruud within the quarterfinals, successful every match in three units after dropping the opener.
After surviving these 4 battles, Jodar wanted simply two units to dispatch Medvedev and guide his place in Sunday’s last in opposition to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
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