Sinner imposes his law and stops a determined Jódar

Andrés Tomás Rico | 29 Apr 2026 | 18.15

Sinner imposes his law and stops a spirited Jódar. Photo: Gettyimages

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Jannik Sinner already knows who Rafa Jódar is. The Italian secured a hard-fought victory against the Spaniard, who fought from the first to the last ball, but the hierarchy and know-how of the number one, despite not playing a brilliant match, tipped the scales in his favor. Thus, the player from San Candido advances to the semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open 2026 with a 6-2, 7-6(0) triumph over Jódar, who showed that he can go toe-to-toe with anyone.

The awaited duel, for many an anticipated final: the perfect machine against another machine that is rapidly evolving. The Magic Box eagerly awaited a clash between two very similar players but with very different contexts. On one side, Jannik Sinner, the world number one, champion of the last four Masters 1000 and the clear favorite to win all clay court tournaments. On the other side, Rafa Jódar, a thunder, a magnificent and unexpected emergence who already has an ATP title and is among the top 35 players. Ultimately, the match of the tournament.

Here is Jannik Sinner's hard-fought victory against Rafa Jódar at the Mutua Madrid Open 2026

The expectations for this match were as high as the level both players displayed from the start. The message was clear: neither was going to give an inch. Jódar started with an extra gear, undeterred by having the circuit king across the net, and his game continued to set the pace: shots, shots, shots, and more shots.

Sinner did not expect such a start, breaking into a sweat with the high pace imposed by the man from Madrid, and with the heat of the closed Magic Box ceiling. The player from San Candido knew he would face a demanding battle but did not anticipate losing control of the rallies and dealing with a break point against him. However, the number one is the number one for being able to endure: he weathered the storm, began to find his game, and on his fifth break point, he struck first (4-2).

Jódar hit harder, but Sinner hit better

Sinner set the cruise control, but Jódar kept up, staying true to himself, looking for his forehand and showing composure. The scoreboard did not reflect the equality seen on the court. The issue, as always, was Jannik Sinner, who simply found his groove, and his game flowed. While Jódar's physical effort to keep pace exacted a toll, and his legs, the source of his court speed, began to waver, the Italian claimed the first set 6-2.

There was already a sense of physical fatigue in the Leganés native in his previous match against Vit Kopriva. It was his 14th match in 29 days, and the explosiveness of his game was starting to wear on his elite tennis frame. Additionally, lacking the experience and physical conditioning of the world number one, who, although starting a bit cold, quickly got into gear.

By no means was the Spaniard ready to throw in the towel; he started the second set with renewed energy, ready to fight back. However, the prevailing sense was that Jódar, even though managing to hold his service games, had to push himself to the limit, while Sinner, being the top player he is, controlled the match. The player from San Candido was a rock and seemed to relish the encounter. He had prepared meticulously for the battle against Jódar and was efficiently dealing with the challenge.

Jódar did not capitalize on any of the seven break points he had

The Madrid native did not falter when faced with two break chances, with one of his outbursts threatening Sinner’s dominance. With two forehands, a direct serve, and a lob, the world number one navigated the situation.

As the second set reached a decisive point, Jódar, despite trailing, remained very much in the match. Sinner was no longer as comfortable, seeing the Spaniard closing in on him and earning three more break points. Sinner's performance might not have been the most spectacular, but it was effective, and therein lies the difference with the world number one.

The score was leveled at 4-4 by the Italian after surviving the most dangerous game of the match and had a chance to seal the victory. However, he, too, failed to convert three break points, giving Jódar, who was clinging to the court, a lifeline. Neither player let up on their serves, and the second set was decided in a tiebreak.

There, Sinner put an end to prolonging a match that was becoming perilous. The world number one made the definitive strike and closed out a closely contested (6-2, 7-6(0)) match, from which the Spanish player will undoubtedly learn.

With this 26th consecutive victory in Masters 1000 events, Sinner advances to his first semifinals at the Mutua Madrid Open. The path to the title seems clear, but the significant lesson that Jannik Sinner takes away today is that he now knows who Rafa Jódar is.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Sinner impone su ley y frena a un combativo Jódar