Rafael Jodar is doing nothing else but sending the rest of the ATP Tour warning signs. The 19-year-old is only in his first full season on tour, and he has made an astonishing rise in the rankings. He likely isn't going to stop that trend anytime soon.
His Canadian Open quarterfinal opponent was also a rising star. Arthur Fils hasn't made quite the rise that Jodar has, but to be fair, few in history have. Fils should be a top-10 player eventually. He might find himself constantly behind the young Spaniard, however.
Whether Jodar wins in Montreal and earns enough points to get inside the top 10 is no matter. He will eventually, and likely by the end of 2026, get there. Once there, he won't be going away very quickly.
Rafael Jodar continues elite rise at the Canadian Open
Jodar showed off all his weapons against Fils. While some might have expected him to be a clay-court specialist at the beginning of the season, he is far from that. His serve is big enough to cause issues on any surface. His movement is excellent, and his groundstrokes are already bombastic and only getting better.
If fans were looking for a player who would be a long-term third part of a trio that also includes Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Jodar could be that player. He offers no weaknesses, and he will only improve his immense ability.
In the opening set, he took a lead in the second game on a break, but Fils was able to earn the break back later, forcing an eventual tie-break that Jodar took coolly 7-5.
In the second set, Fils was broken in the third game, but got the break right back. At 3-all, Jodar got another break and then consolidated the break with a hold. Whatever Fils tried to do to move ahead in the match, the Spaniard was just one tick better.
What appears to be making Jodar special isn't his serve or groundstrokes, though. Instead, it is his ability to defend. That is often something young players struggle to learn when they are able to win with huge forehands and serves. Jodar has learned defense quickly, and that will make him dangerous in any tournament he plays.
Next for Rafael Jodar in the semifinals of the Canadian Open will be American Brandon Nakashima. The two players have never met before, but Jodar should be the favorite. He might actually be the favorite with whoever he plays in the final, too, should he get there. Jodar reached his first-ever Masters 1000 semi in Montreal, and he could quickly follow that with his first title.
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