Rafael Jódar, 19, has reached the final of the Mubadala DC Open after defeating Alejandro Tabilo 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 on Sunday, August 2, in Washington. The Spaniard will contest the first ATP 500 final of his career against Taylor Fritz.
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A comeback after a first-set tiebreak loss
Tabilo, ranked 30th in the world, appeared to have seized control by winning the first-set tiebreak 7-5 after converting his second set point. The Chilean, who had already upset second seed Ben Shelton in the quarterfinals, looked poised to continue his run. Jódar had other plans.
The composure of a future top-15 player
From the second set onward, the Spaniard raised his level of play. After squandering several break opportunities early in the set, he found the opening at the decisive moment to level the match at one set apiece. In the third set, Jódar broke serve immediately and defended his advantage with authority, closing out the match 6-4 and displaying remarkable mental fortitude for a 19-year-old. "I think I'm doing things very good with my team, especially with my dad. It means a lot to be in the final," Jódar said after his victory (Tennis Majors).
The result guarantees Jódar a place inside the ATP top 15, with a projected ranking of 15th as runner-up or 12th if he wins the title. Ranked beyond 600th in the world just a year ago, he is experiencing one of the most remarkable rises on the ATP Tour. Since claiming his maiden title in Marrakech in April, Jódar has continued to push boundaries, defeating fourth seed Lorenzo Musetti, eighth seed Arthur Fils, and now Tabilo to reach his second final of the season.
A Fritz versus Jódar final awaits
Fritz booked his spot in the final with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Brandon Nakashima in the other semifinal. The American, seeded third, is chasing his first title in over a year and will contest his third ATP 500 final of the season after Dallas and Halle. The two players met earlier this season at Delray Beach, with Fritz winning in straight sets, but Jódar's confidence, built on five consecutive victories this week, could prove a different proposition.
