Jannik Sinner defeats Rafa Jódar at Madrid Open 2026, Madrid; fourth straight Masters 1000 title bid

Madrid Open 2026: Jannik Sinner fends off local wildcard Rafa Jódar to storm into semi-finals

The world No. 1 fought through one hour, 57 minutes against the Spanish wildcard to book his spot in the final four on Wednesday (29 April).

As a storm brewed in the skies of Madrid,Jannik Sinnerfaced no such concern with a crushing win overRafaJódarat theMadrid Open 2026.

The world No. 1 faced his toughest challenge yet against the hometown wildcard in the quarter-finals, but the 19-year-old could not withstand the top seed, who won 6-2, 7-6(0) in his pursuit of a fourth straight ATP Masters 1000 title this season.

Such was the respect from the top seed, his post-match message on the camera was dedicated to Jódar: “What a player”. Sinner will play the winner of the night session match,Arthur FilsorJiří Lehečka, in the Madrid semi-finals on Friday (1 May).

“Incredible player,” the Italian said of his opponent post-match to the Spanish crowd at Estadio Manolo Santana. “Spain always had incredible players, now you have one more. He’s an amazing player, it was a very close match.

“In the second set I got a little bit lucky at times, but also with a little bit of experience. we will see him playing many more times, playing in centre court on the biggest stages, so I wish him only the best.”

Rafa Jódar: Madrid’s hometown tennis hero on a fairytale breakout run in the Spanish capital

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Meet the new ‘Rafa’ in Spanish tennis: Rafa Jódar

Rafa Jódar is part of the new generation of Spanish tennis players who are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Rafa Nadal. The ‘new’ Rafa won the US Open Boys tournament and represented Spain in last year’s Davis Cup. Jódar is currently on the US college circuit getting ready to make it in pro tennis.

Madrid Open 2026 - Sinner calms the Spanish storm as Jódar’s dream run is curtailed

Jódar’s maiden Madrid tournament will always be one to savour, playing in front of the Real Madrid royalty ofRaúl Gonzálezon Wednesday (29 April). The teenager will reach a new career high of world No. 34 and stands just seven points off a seed spot at Roland-Garros in little under a month.

Sinner struck first when he stretched out to convert a daring backhand winner to break at 3-2. The Italian had to fend off a break back before a shanked forehand by Jódar gifted him a double break, as the top seed did not drop another game in the set.

Jódar remained in the fight going into the second set, yet could not convert two break points in the sixth game against the relentless Sinner. Another three opportunities followed at 4-3 up, only for Sinner to pull out a winner for each one.

With breaks slipping away and the tide beginning to turn, the wildcard failed to convert any of his seven break points and could not cope once the quarter-final clash headed into a tiebreak.

The last 10 points of the match were Sinner’s, where his ball-striking power and crunch point experience secured a 7-0 tiebreak shutout to reach the final four at the Caja Mágica.

20 April - 3 May

Tennis | Mutua Madrid Open| Spain