What seems certain based on what tennis fans would have seen from the Jannik Sinner and Rafael Jodar quarterfinal match of the 2026 Madrid Open is that Jodar is going to be a very good player, especially on clay. What was re-learned, though, is that Sinner is the true ATP No. 1 currently.
The Madrid crowd was firmly behind the 19-year-old Spaniard, who makes his home in the host city. Spaniards are used to watching greatness from their native players on clay, of course, and Jodar is likely working his way to becoming the next long-term top 10 player.
This is what made Jannik Sinner's performance much more ruthless. The Italian was not in a giving mood as far as allowing Jodar to build much confidence, especially in the first set. While the Spaniard pushed the top seed through the first four games, Sinner appeared to find the magic he would need to pull through.
Jannik Sinner teaches a lesson to Rafael Jodar at the 2026 Madrid Masters
Midway through the set, he got a break, and as well as Jodar was playing overall, the Italian was playing better in the bigger points. This is what champions do, and the young Spaniard was learning a lesson he could use in matches and tournaments to follow. Possibly even the next set.
Jodar had his chance with Sinner serving at 2-3 in set two, too. The Spaniard had two break points, but the Italian reeled off four straight points to take the game, even while somewhat struggling with his first serve. At 15-40, Sinner set up a point to finish by blasting a forehand winner in the corner. At 30-40, he hit a gutsy overhead that Jodar couldn't chase down.
The players then traded difficult holds, with each getting break chances before finding what they needed at the most stressful time. With Sinner serving at 4-5, he finally had a relatively easy game. Jodar followed in the same manner and led 6-5, and we appeared to be heading toward a tie-break.
The match was being played at an exceedingly high level. Whether Rafael Jodar won or lost, he had to know that, at least on clay, he could play with the best in tennis moving forward. He is going to be a threat to win majors soon, perhaps as soon as the French Open in May.
In the tie break, Sinner dominated and didn't drop a point, which came after evening the match with a love hold to get to 6-6. After a brutally difficult match for both players, the ATP No. 1 suddenly reeled off 11 straight points to take the match.
Jannik Sinner will next play the winner of the Jiri Lehecka and Arthur Fils match in the semifinals of the Madrid Masters. Whoever plays, the match is certainly going to be one with huge serves and forehands, and should be a fun match to watch for tennis lovers.
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