Rafael Jodar began his first Paris Masters campaign with an assured performance. The Spaniard defeated Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-3 on Monday, November 2, advancing to the second round in just one hour and 16 minutes.
The victory also marked Jodar's first match at the tournament after entering the world's Top 10. Despite the expectations attached to his new ranking, he controlled the contest with aggressive tennis and avoided a drawn-out finish.
Constant pressure on Tabilo's serve
Jodar completed the match with 34 winners and 17 unforced errors. The Spaniard created 12 break points and converted five, figures that explain the margin on the scoreboard and Tabilo's difficulty protecting his serve.
The result repeated a recent matchup between the two players. Jodar had beaten the Chilean in Basel the previous week and again found the right solutions in Paris, this time in straight sets. The back-to-back wins underline his strong form while moving from the Swiss ATP 500 to the final Masters 1000 event of the season.
Ruud awaits in the second round
Jodar will face Casper Ruud in the next round. The Norwegian secured his place by defeating Juan Manuel Cerundolo 6-3, 6-2, and their meeting was scheduled to close Tuesday's night session at the Plenitude Arena.
For Jodar, the next test adds weight to a debut that already combined two milestones: his first Paris Masters appearance and his first match at the event as a Top 10 player. The win over Tabilo ensured that campaign will continue against an opponent with extensive experience at major tournaments.
The official Rolex Paris Masters and ATP Tour videos feature the key points from the match, including Jodar's return pressure and the advantage he built across the two sets.
