Severe weather in Montreal disrupted the Masters 1000 schedule, pushing the round-of-16 match between Rafa Jódar and Jiri Lehecka into the early hours. Originally scheduled for 18:00 local time, the match was postponed after rain halted the preceding contest between Brandon Nakashima and Arthur Rinderknech at 4-4 in the third set. Organizers expected play to resume at 01:30, with Jódar and Lehecka likely to begin around 01:45 Spanish time.
The delay added tension to a match carrying significance for both players. Lehecka was seeking his fifth quarterfinal at this level, while a win for 19-year-old Jódar would make him the first teenager to reach the men’s quarterfinals in Canada since Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2018. Jódar’s strong form included quarterfinal appearances in Madrid and Rome. The Real Federación Española de Tenis later recorded a wider string of deep runs in his 2026 season. He reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and the semifinals in Barcelona and Montreal.
Jódar’s record against top-20 players stood at 3-6 entering the match, underlining the challenge Lehecka posed. The Spaniard had nevertheless built momentum on the ATP circuit, and the encounter offered a chance to add another impressive result. It was their first official meeting in Montreal; they faced each other again later in the season, when Jódar beat Lehecka on his way to the Shanghai final.
Fans could follow the match live on television and through the AS website. Jódar’s victory over Lorenzo Musetti to reach the last 16 was covered in a previous report on his progress in Canada. The Montreal campaign continued beyond this delayed match: Jódar reached the tournament’s semifinals, with Lehecka among his wins. His other high-profile victories included Daniil Medvedev and Casper Ruud.
The Montreal Masters 1000 is one of the leading events on the ATP calendar, drawing many of the world’s top players. Jódar’s semifinal finish became part of a breakthrough 2026 season that also brought his first ATP title, at the Marrakech ATP 250, and a final at the Washington ATP 500. He also reached the quarterfinals in Madrid and Rome. In Madrid, he recorded his first win over a top-10 opponent, beating Alex de Miñaur, then ranked No. 8, information from the Spanish tennis federation.
Jódar’s rise continued after Montreal. He turned professional in 2026 after competing at the Next Gen ATP Finals in December and later advanced to the Shanghai final. ATP Tour coverage recorded four three-set wins during that Shanghai run. He beat Lehecka and Botic van de Zandschulp, then also defeated Casper Ruud. He finished the event ranked No. 11 in the ATP singles standings dated October 19, with a 2026 tour-level record of 43 wins and 17 losses. He placed ninth in the Race to Turin.
