Rafael Jodar reached the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters on Friday, beating Casper Ruud 4-6 6-4 6-3 after losing the opening set for the fourth match in a row. At 20, the Madrid-born Spaniard is the youngest player ever to reach the last four in Shanghai — on his debut at the event.
Another comeback
Ruud, ranked No 24, took the first set with a single break in the tenth game. Jodar, seeded 12th, then changed the rhythm of the match: he broke in the ninth game of the second set and again early in the decider, five breaks in total across the last two sets, before converting his fourth match point after two hours and 20 minutes.
The statistics reflect a match decided by fewer mistakes rather than more winners. According to Spanish outlet TodoAlicante, Jodar made 31 unforced errors — ten fewer than Ruud — and hit two more winners than the Norwegian.
It is the same script Jodar has followed all week. He also dropped the first set against Thiago Tirante, Jiri Lehecka and Botic van de Zandschulp (6-7 6-4 6-2 in the round of 16) before winning each time.
The numbers behind his breakthrough season
- Fifth tour-level semi-final of 2026, all since April, and his second at Masters 1000 level after Montreal.
- 42-16 win-loss record this season, according to the ATP.
- 10-2 against top-30 opponents since July.
Less than a year ago Jodar was competing at the 2025 Next Gen ATP Finals for the best 20-and-under players; follow his progress on our live ATP rankings.
What it means for Turin
The result has direct consequences for the Nitto ATP Finals. Jodar climbs two places to ninth in the live Race to Turin, passing Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur. Because Jannik Sinner, second in the Race, has ended his season through injury, ninth place is currently enough for one of the eight spots, the ATP notes. Only Daniil Medvedev sits directly above him.
Ruud's run had been helped by Felix Auger-Aliassime's retirement with a knee problem in the round of 16, a setback that all but ends the Canadian's own hopes of qualifying.
Next: Medvedev or Paul
Jodar will face either Daniil Medvedev or Tommy Paul for a place in the final — two players he has never met on the tour. With compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina also in the last four, it is only the fifth time since 2014 that two Spaniards have reached the semi-finals of the same Masters 1000 event. Follow the semi-finals live on our tennis scores.
Sources
This article was written by TiebreakNews from the reporting below, checked against official results and rankings.
- ATP Tour — Jodar rallies again in Shanghai! Sinks Ruud for SF spot
- TodoAlicante — Jódar fights back against Ruud to reach Shanghai semi-finals
- Punto de Break — Auger-Aliassime withdraws due to injury and Ruud will be the next opponent of Jódar
- Tennis TV — Youngest Shanghai semi-finalist ever