Jódar signs another wonder to ensure a Spanish final in Shanghai

Andrés Tomás Rico - 17 Oct 2026 | 15:00
ATP Rafael Jódar Daniil Medvedev ATP Shanghái 2026

The Madrilenian defeated Medvedev in a very physical duel and will compete for his first Masters 1000 title against his compatriot Davidovich.

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Jódar signs another wonder, and there will be a Spanish final in Shanghai. Photo: Getty Images

Just because something is commonplace does not mean it is no longer miraculous. Spain once again demonstrates its tennis potential with a final between Rafael Jódar and Alejandro Davidovich after the Madrid player gave another lesson in resilience by defeating Daniil Medvedev (6-3, 6-4), while the Málaga player defeated Alexander Zverev (5-7, 6-4, 6-3). Therefore, one of them will win their first Masters 1000 title tomorrow.

After an intense battle between Davidovich and Alexander Zverev, it was the turn of the second Spaniard of the day, Jódar, who was seeking his first Masters 1000 final to further complete an unforgettable 2026 for the player from Leganés. But, standing in his way was Medvedev, who moves like a fish in water on the hard court. To add to the uncertainty, this was their first encounter.

This was Jódar's great victory over Medvedev in the Shanghai semifinals

A match of long rallies and physical play was expected. And that’s how it was from the very first game. Jódar needed more than 10 minutes to seal his first serve in a clear warning from the Russian: if you want to win, you're going to have to sweat. However, the player from Leganés does not back down, as he has shown throughout a 2026 where he has surprised the entire world.

So he dives into the physical battle proposed by Medvedev, meaning long, deep, cross-court, and parallel exchanges. Both players deliver great points and there is a feeling that this match is going to be lengthy. But once the Spaniard deciphers the always complicated game of the Russian, he starts to impose himself little by little. He threatens with a break that is returned in the next game, but he knows where to inflict damage.

Medvedev begins to look overwhelmed because no matter how much speed and intensity he puts into his shots, Jódar gets to everything and always makes one more shot, so he starts to rush and the Spaniard, who continues with his own playbook, breaks again this time to take the first set by 6-3.

But something is happening to his physical condition because Jódar's expression immediately after winning the set is one of concern, so he calls for the physio due to problems in his left leg. It might seem that the Spanish final is drifting away if these discomforts worsen. But nothing could be further from reality because the 20-year-old comes out like a rocket from the locker room, surprises Medvedev, and breaks in the first game of the second set to put some distance and take a step closer to his first Masters 1000 final.

Even so, the discomfort persists and he prefers to avoid long and intense exchanges, which causes him to rush and lose the advantage gained. Medvedev smells blood, recovers the break, and increases the pressure. Jódar seems to be on the ropes, but the hallmark of his week in Shanghai has been his ability to endure (he recovered from four previous matches).

However, Medvedev also does not appear sharp, and with two double faults in a row, he gives the break back to a Jódar who knows he has the opportunity to conclude a match that could take a toll on him physically if it goes further.

So he makes a final push, evades the discomfort, the outside noise, and the wall in front of him. With a mindset and character destined for the chosen ones, he plays point by point, getting closer to the great objective. He does not get nervous or tense up with Medvedev's final offensive.

And there he is, in his first year as a professional tennis player, achieving the unexpected for any earthly being, making it to his first Masters 1000 final at 20 years old after accepting the physical and tennis challenge of Medvedev (6-3, 6-4) and securing a champion's victory. However, he will have to earn that title tomorrow against his compatriot Alejandro Davidovich. Because, no matter what happens, a Spanish tennis player will be the champion of the 2026 Shanghai Masters 1000.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Jódar firma otra maravilla para que haya una final española en Shanghái