So Close, Yet So Far in Shanghai
Rafael Jodar produced one of the stories of the 2026 season with a stunning run to the Shanghai Masters final, only to fall short against fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a match that swung wildly across three sets. Jodar dominated the opener 6-1 and looked in total control when he built a double break at 3-2 in the second, but Davidovich Fokina clawed his way back and eventually prevailed 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to claim the title.
The 20-year-old was just two points from forcing a deciding set at 5-5 in the second-set tiebreak, only for the experienced 27-year-old to edge it. Jodar appeared to tire visibly in the third, which is hardly surprising given the extraordinary road he had travelled to get there. He came back from a set down in each of his first four matches, defeating Thiago Agustin Tirante, Jiri Lehecka, Botic van de Zandschulp, and Casper Ruud before dismantling world number five Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals.
Points, Prize Money, and Plenty of Promise
Despite the defeat, Jodar's week in Shanghai delivered substantial rewards. The runner-up finish earned him 650 ATP ranking points and a prize cheque of $612,340, lifting his projected ranking two spots to a new career-high of world number eleven. For a player whose only previous title came at the ATP 250 event in Marrakech back in April, this represents a massive leap in profile and confidence heading into the final stretch of the season.
After the match, Jodar spoke with admirable composure about his week, calling it a positive experience while acknowledging there were areas to sharpen for his next event. With his ranking surging and his game clearly capable of competing at the highest level, the young Spaniard looks primed for an even bigger 2027. TennisDraw users had Jodar as a breakout pick throughout the Shanghai draw, and he more than delivered on that faith.
