Jódar Saves Four Match Points But Falls to Nakashima in Montreal Semifinal

Rafael Jódar's bid for his first Masters 1000 final fell short as he lost a hard-fought semifinal match to American Brandon Nakashima at the Montreal Masters 1000. Despite a spirited comeback where he saved four match points, the 19-year-old Spaniard ultimately succumbed to Nakashima's strong play, with the final score reading 7-6(3), 6-4 after two hours and two minutes.

The match saw intense competition, particularly in the first set tiebreak, which Nakashima secured. The American, ranked world No. 31, then took an early lead in the second set, breaking Jódar's serve in the opening game and holding opportunities to go up 3-0. However, Jódar demonstrated his characteristic fighting spirit, rallying to save multiple break points and ultimately nullifying four match points when Nakashima attempted to close out the contest.

Nakashima, who secured his spot in the final, will face either Ben Shelton or Learner Tien, guaranteeing an all-American final in a Masters 1000 event for the first time since 2003. Jódar, who has already won titles in Marrakech and reached the final in Washington this season, will now shift his focus to the Cincinnati Masters 1000, the last major tournament before the US Open.

This semifinal appearance marks a significant step for Jódar in his burgeoning career, showcasing his potential to compete at the highest levels of professional tennis. His resilience in saving match points underscores his competitive drive, even in defeat.