The milestones are coming fast and furious for 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar.
Fresh off his first ATP title in Marrakech earlier this month, Jodar became just the third Spanish man to win a match in Madrid as a teenager when he defeated Jesper de Jong in the opening round.
He joined Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz on that exclusive list.
On Friday, he took another significant step, earning his first career Top 10 win with a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory over World No. 8 Alex de Minaur at the Caja Mágica.
“I knew that I had to do the things very well, from the beginning, and the pressure moments and important moments in the match, I played very well,” Jodar said in an interview with Tennis Channel. “I think those points gave me the chance to win the first set and then the second set as well.”
The win sets up an intriguing clash between the ATP’s two highest-ranked teenagers, as the No. 42nd-ranked Spaniard will face 19-year-old World No. 31 Joao Fonseca on Sunday.
Jodar was in complete control against de Minaur, striking 10 forehand winners compared to just one for the Australian. He also won 48 of 72 baseline rallies and six of the seven rallies that extended beyond nine shots.
The ease with which he finds himself on the front foot, dictating play with explosive groundstrokes has been impressive.
Last week in Barcelona, Arthur Fils commented on the Spaniard’s electric game.
“He’s gonna be a pain in the ass to play.”
Adds: “On the TV you don’t really realize how strong he is hitting. The ball is flying and going very fast, very heavy ball. It took me one set to get used to his quality.”
He needed just 75 minutes to complete the victory.
Jodar and Fonseca—who advanced when Marin Cilic withdrew due to injury—are the only players born in 2006 or later to have recorded a Top 10 win.
Jodar improves to 10-1 on clay in his young career, with his only loss coming to Arthur Fils in last week’s Barcelona semifinals.
Twelve months ago, Jodar was ranked outside the Top 700. Since then, he has surged up the rankings, winning four Challenger titles before capturing his maiden ATP crown in Marrakech.
“I’s crazy, you know? Feeling surreal,” Jodar said. “I mean, this tournament that I always used to visit to watch these all top players, in the stands, and now being able to play in the center court against a great player, as Alex De Minaur, with the home crowd cheering for me. That’s a dream come true, actually.”