Rafael Jodar defeated Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Friday, October 16, to reach the Shanghai Masters 1000 semifinals.
At 20, he became the youngest semifinalist in tournament history, according to the ATP. It was his fourth consecutive comeback victory from a set down at this year's event.
The race to Turin
The result puts Jodar ninth in the annual race in the ATP's published update. With Jannik Sinner out for the rest of the season through injury, that position provisionally represents the final available ATP Finals berth. It does not guarantee qualification.
The stakes are growing in a transition season: a year ago, Jodar was still playing college tennis at the University of Virginia. In 2026, he has already won his first ATP title in Marrakech and reached the Washington final.
