Jodar beats Fonseca to reach first Masters last 16 in front of his hometown crowd
Two 19-year-olds, the night session in Madrid, the city where Jodar was born – Jodar (wild card) beat Fonseca (No 27) 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-1, and the third set was a statement.
Rafael Jodar, Madrid 2026
Rafael Jodar beat fellow 19-year-old Joao Fonseca, the No 27 seed, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-1 on Sunday night at the Mutua Madrid Open, reaching the last 16 of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career – in the city where he was born, in front of a crowd that has adopted him as its own.
The match had the atmosphere of an occasion. Two of the most anticipated young players on the ATP Tour, meeting for the first time, in the night session on Manolo Santana Stadium, with Alcaraz absent and a nation looking for someone to root for. Jodar – born in Madrid, ranked No 42, a wild card in the draw – provided the answer in two hours and nine minutes of tennis that swung violently before finishing in a crescendo at 59 minutes past midnight.
“It was very tough”, Jodat said on court. “João is always a very tough player. These matches are decided by very small details and very small points. I think I did a great job in those points, trying to play my game. I also want to congratulate him for the match and for the season. He’s doing an unbelievable job. Super happy with the win.”
The opening set went to a tiebreak that Jodar won 7-4. Fonseca, the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals champion and a two-time tour title winner, had been here before. He took the second set 6-4 and made Jodar work for every point. Then the third set began, and the Spaniard produced something that silenced the tactical discussion entirely. He won it 6-1, hitting with a clarity and aggression that made Fonseca look powerless. It was the kind of tennis that earns a reputation.
Kopriva next
A year ago, Jodar was ranked No 687 and competing for the University of Virginia. The Madrleño has now won 11 of his last 12 matches. He won the Marrakech title, reached the Barcelona semi-finals and beat No 5 seed Alex de Minaur in straight sets two days ago for his first top-10 win.
Jodar was asked : “A lot of people love this matchup because you’re both 19 years old and both big prospects in tennis. Do you think this will be one of your rivalries in the future?” He didn’t go there and stayed focused on his tournament. “Well I’m sure he’s gonna do great things. He’s a very young player, a great player. I wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season and his career. I’m very very happy with my level. I’ll try to recover well and think about the next match.”
He will face Czech Vit Kopriva, ranked No 66, who eliminated No 9 seed Andrey Rublev earlier in the week, in the last 16. Kopriva moved into the last 16 of the Mutua Madrid Open when Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, the No 22 seed, retired on Sunday evening as Kopriva was leading 6-4, 3-6. Rinderknech felt “a small electric shock, a small knife stab.” This happened while he had three break points in his favour, at 2-1 in the second set. He’ll have exams on Monday.
