Jódar, in Shanghai against the Spanish ‘giant killer’: “We have to give one last push”

Wednesday, October 14. Noon in Shanghai, six in the morning Spanish peninsular time. Rafa Jodar You will know the center court of the Masters 1000 ATP tournament based in that Chinese city. He faces a ‘giant killer’ of the ATP circuit, also of unfortunate fame for Spanish tennis for his sporting blows. And the man from Madrid plays a lot.

A victory will mean adding one hundred more points to his ranking account, getting very close to the Serbian Novak Djokovicninth in the ‘Race’ to Turin, who establishes the current cut of players who will enter the ATP Finals, the great closing Masters.

“I don’t think much about it. It’s my first season on the circuit, it’s already very good. If I manage to be there, great; if not, I’ll try it next year,” says Jódar, who prefers to reduce the pressure that such an ambitious goal means.

“I’m focusing on my next game,” he says. In a section of the painting that has been left out Carlos Alcaraz. His expected duel in the semifinals with the Murcian evaporated with the defeat of the Murcian against the Belgian Zizou Bergs, which is measured in eighths with the American Tommy Paul.

Rafa Jodar will open the center taking on the Dutch giant Botic Van by Zandschulp31 years old and world number 41. A fearsome puncher, with lethal blows when he has the day. The Leganense will see how the executioner of Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open, who closed Rafa Nadal’s career by beating him in the Davis Cup in Malaga 2024.

A danger. He reached the quarterfinals of the last US Open, hunting the Australian Alex de Minaur. Another top in your income statement. He has knocked down the Spaniard in Shanghai Dani Meridathe American Alex Michelsen (31) and the French Arthur Filseighth seed.

“I feel good. I know I have played a lot of games and tournaments this season, but I am recovering very well after each game and I am happy with how the season is going. We have to give one last push in these last remaining tournaments,” Signofica Rafa Jodar.