Rafa Jódar secured a straight-sets win over Lorenzo Musetti at the Masters 1.000 in Canada. The Spaniard advances to the round of 16, where he will face Jiri Lehecka. This marks his fourth Masters 1.000 last-16 appearance this year.
Rafa Jódar delivered another convincing performance at the Masters 1.000 in Canada, eliminating Lorenzo Musetti for the second time in less than a week. The Spanish world number 15 overcame the Italian, ranked 13th, with a 6-4, 6-3 victory in just over an hour and a half. This result sends Jódar into the last 16, where he is set to meet Czech player Jiri Lehecka.
The match began with tension for Jódar, who missed three break points in the opening game and then lost his own serve, allowing Musetti to take a 2-0 lead. However, Jódar quickly recovered, breaking back to level the score and then securing another crucial break late in the first set to claim it 6-4.
In the second set, Jódar immediately broke Musetti’s serve, but the Italian responded in the next game. The Spaniard then took control, breaking twice more to move ahead 4-1. Musetti managed to recover one break, but Jódar closed out the match by breaking again while returning at 5-3.
This win follows Jódar’s recent triumph over Musetti in Washington, where he came from behind to win in three sets during the quarterfinals. The Madrid native has now reached the round of 16 at a Masters 1.000 event for the fourth time this season, after similar runs in Miami, Madrid, and Rome. Notably, he advanced to the quarterfinals in both Madrid and Rome.
After the match, Jódar highlighted the challenge of facing Musetti again so soon, noting that previous results did not guarantee a repeat outcome. He emphasized the high level of play from both sides and pointed out that the scoreline did not fully reflect the intensity of the contest, especially after Musetti’s strong response in the second set. Jódar credited his mental resilience for regaining control after a brief setback and expressed satisfaction with his performance, particularly in the closing stages.
The Masters 1.000 tournaments are among the most prestigious events on the ATP Tour, just below the Grand Slams in importance. Consistent results at this level can significantly impact a player’s ranking and season trajectory. Jódar’s repeated appearances in the latter stages of these tournaments underline his growing presence among the elite. The Canadian Masters, held annually in cities like Toronto and Montreal, attracts the world’s top players and is a key stop in the lead-up to the US Open. For Spanish tennis, strong performances in North America often signal readiness for the final Grand Slam of the year and can influence national interest in the sport. Jódar’s progress this season may also inspire younger Spanish players aiming for international success.
