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22 Mar 2026 | 20.45
The great week of Rafael Jódar in the 2026 Miami Masters 1000 came to an end after falling to Tomás Etcheverry by 7-5 and 6-4 in the third round of the American tournament. The Argentine showed his expertise in key moments to defeat a Jódar who came close in the first set and once again demonstrated his ability to compete at this level.
The Spaniard, in full emergence and with the reward of entering the top 100 tomorrow, had reached this round in a Masters 1000 for the first time after going through the qualifiers and winning two matches in the main draw. A significant opportunity lay ahead to progress further in a draw that was and still is very open. However, Etcheverry's consistency, which he will surely gain with time, was the weapon that ultimately decided the match.
A Point That Changed the First Set
The match began with slight superiority from the Argentine, more solid in exchanges and with greater ability to extend points. However, Jódar resisted well at the start, saving two break points at 1-1, which boosted his confidence. From there, the Spaniard started to impose his pace. With more ball speed, a consistent serve, and a very aggressive forehand, he grew to lead 5-4 and serve for the set, a moment where the pivotal point of the match occurred.
At 30-40, Jódar had a set point that he failed to convert by missing a relatively straightforward forehand for him. That error completely shifted the dynamics of the encounter. Etcheverry saved the game, leveled to 5-5, and from there, everything turned against the Spaniard. In the next game, the Madrid native had a 40-0 lead to at least secure a tiebreak in the first set, but he began making mistakes under the persistent pressure from the Argentine, who eventually capitalized on his second break point to go up 6-5 and closed the set convincingly at 7-5.
Etcheverry Asserts His Experience
The blow was mentally tough for Jódar, a natural reaction after a missed major opportunity and being behind on the score. Etcheverry, on the other hand, capitalized and took the initiative from the start of the second set. The Argentine broke early to lead 2-1 and serve, an advantage he did not relinquish. His solidity from the baseline and his ability to force one more shot, inducing errors from the Spaniard, made the difference in this phase of the match.
Jódar tried to react, regain his touch, and once again dominate with his forehand, but he met a very resolute opponent in crucial moments. Etcheverry did not offer a single break point throughout the second set, managing his lead perfectly to close out the match at 6-4.
Beyond the defeat, the Spaniard's tournament leaves a very positive impression. Jódar has demonstrated the tools to compete at this level. At 19 years old, his room for improvement is evident, especially in consistency and handling key moments. But his breakthrough in Miami, reaching the third round and securing a place in the top 100, confirms that there is plenty of raw talent to be excited about.
Meanwhile, Etcheverry reaches the round of 16 for the first time at the Miami Open, where he will face the winner between Tommy Paul and Raphael Collignon.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rafa Jódar sucumbe ante el oficio de Etcheverry
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