Young Spanish sensation Rafael Jodar continued to showcase his splendid form, overwhelming American prodigy Learner Tien to advance into the quarterfinals at the Italian Open on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old dominated Tien across both sets and notched a 6-1, 6-4 win to become the youngest Rome quarter-finalist in 21 years. He is the first to qualify for multiple Masters 1000 events in a season since Serbian maestro Novak Djokovic in 2007.
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Jodar’s success further highlights his recent title-winning triumph in Marrakech, semi-final finish in Barcelona and a run to the last eight stage in Madrid, where World No. 1 Jannik Sinner ousted him.
In the aftermath of his win, Journalist Jose Morgado highlighted Rafael Jodar’s stunning rise since breaking into the Top 100 less than two months ago. He is scheduled to break into the Top 30 following the ranking update on Monday, going past his rival Joao Fonseca to No. 29.
“Jódar will make his top 30 debut and pass Fonseca on Monday to become the highest ranked teenager in the world. He made his top 100 debut less than two months ago. Absolutely insane rising,” Morgado wrote on X.
Reacting to Jodar’s stunning form, fans buzzed around the Spaniard and his remarkable rise, arguing that he deserves at least as much, if not more, hype as Fonseca.
The 19-year-old Fonseca crashed out in his campaign opener at the Italian Open, falling short against Hamad Medjedovic.
“Jodar’s hype is valid because he’s actually getting some good results. I mean look at his clay season, impressive. Unlike Fonseca who gets hype for doing nothing, the only thing people can say about him is “He pushed Sinner all the way” smh,” a user wrote on X.
Another fan felt Jodar could be a legitimate threat to the Alcaraz-Sinner duopoly based on current form, saying:
“Rafa Jodar might just be the guy to complete the new BIG 3…” the fan said.
Here are a few more reactions from fans:
“Rafa Jodar is what they told us Joao Fonseca would be,” a fan said.
“Jodar plays like how haters think Sinner plays,” another commented.
“His best surface will be grass too, the weight and power of that forehand… he’ll be unplayable,” one user felt.
Jodar will now face the winner of the clash between second seed Alexander Zverev or Luciano Darderi in the quarter-final stage.
Rafael Jodar expresses delight after ousting “tough opponent” Learner Tien
In the one-sided affair, Rafael Jodar caught Tien off guard early with his groundstroke and maintained his authority during the majority of the baseline exchanges. After claiming the first set without breaking a sweat, the American threatened to restore parity and push the fixture to the decisive set.
However, Jodar nullified the danger, broke Tien’s serve and hammered the decisive blow to take a step closer towards the title. Despite the lopsided nature of the contest, Jodar praised Tien for being a “tough opponent”.
“I am super happy. I just try to play the matches and be focused on what I have to do. I am super happy with how I handled the important moments in this match. Learner is a tough opponent,” Rafael Jodar said in his on-court interview (via ATP).
If Jodar emerges victorious in the next round, he will become the youngest tournament semi-finalist since his childhood hero, Rafael Nadal, in 2006.
Edited by Shyam Kamal
