Tennis: 19-year-old Spanish star Jodar reaches first Masters 1000 semifinal

Spanish tennis prodigy Rafael Jodar, aged 19, has advanced to his first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal at the Montreal tournament. Jodar secured his spot by defeating French opponent Arthur Fils in a challenging match, winning 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

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I know what I'm doing is right!

Despite a strong start in the first set, which he eventually won in a tiebreak after a rain delay, Jodar remained focused. He broke Fils' serve three times in the second set to clinch the victory. "I know what I'm doing is right!" Jodar commented after the match, acknowledging Fils' strong play but emphasizing his own ability to maintain rhythm and composure, especially during crucial moments.

Jodar's achievement makes him the first player born in 2006 or later to reach a Masters 1000 semifinal. His impressive performance this season, with 34 wins, has seen his world ranking climb dramatically from 168 at the start of the year to 15. If he continues his winning streak and claims the title in Canada, he could potentially break into the Top 10, reaching as high as world number 9.

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He played very well when he broke serve in the fourth game of the second set, I just tried to keep my rhythm and see what happened. That worked very well today, being able to stay calm at key moments.

Jodar's next opponent in the semifinals will be American Brandon Nakashima. The young Spaniard's consistent success highlights his significant potential in the professional tennis circuit.

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I know it won't be easy, even if I win the first set and break serve, the match is not over yet, because Arthur always fights until the last moment.