Rafael Jodar’s extraordinary run at the Shanghai Masters continued on Saturday, as the 20-year-old Spaniard defeated World No. 6 Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 6-4, to reach the biggest final of his young career.
It was a breakthrough performance that capped a remarkable week of resilience and record-breaking achievements for the rising Spanish star.
Here are five milestones Jodar has achieved during his sensational run in Shanghai.
1. Youngest Shanghai Finalist in History
At 20, Jodar has become the youngest player to reach the Shanghai Masters final, surpassing every previous finalist since the tournament’s inception in 2009.
The Spaniard will bid for his maiden Masters 1000 title on Sunday, having already made history with his five-match run to the championship match.
2. Biggest Career Win Against Medvedev
Jodar’s 6-3, 6-4 semifinal victory over sixth-ranked Daniil Medvedev represents the highest-ranked opponent he has defeated in his professional career.
It was just his second Top 10 victory in seven career meetings with players ranked inside the elite group.
3. Ninth Player Under 21 to Record 20 Masters 1000 Wins in a Season
With his victory over Medvedev, Jodar became just the ninth player since the ATP Masters 1000 series began in 1990 to record at least 20 match wins at that level in a single season before turning 21.
Players to Record 20 ATP Masters 1000 Wins in a Season Before Turning 21 (Since 1990)
| Player | Year (Wins) |
|---|---|
| Jim Courier | 1991 (20) |
| Marcelo Rios | 1996 (20) |
| Marat Safin | 2000 (21) |
| Lleyton Hewitt | 2001 (22) |
| Rafael Nadal | 2005 (28), 2006 (23), 2007 (22) |
| Novak Djokovic | 2007 (24) |
| Alexander Zverev | 2017 (21) |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 2023 (25) |
| Rafael Jodar | 2026 (20) |
He joins an exclusive group featuring Jim Courier, Marcelo Rios, Marat Safin, Lleyton Hewitt, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz.
Only Nadal, who was 19 when he recorded 28 Masters 1000 victories in 2005, has reached the milestone at a younger age.
4. First Player Born in 2006 to Reach a Masters 1000 Final
Jodar is the first player born in 2006 to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final, adding his name to a distinguished list of players who were the first from their respective birth years to reach the milestone.
| Year of Birth | First Finalist |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Rafael Jodar (2026 Shanghai) |
| 2005 | Jakub Mensik (2025 Miami) |
| 2004 | Arthur Fils (2026 Cincinnati) |
| 2003 | Carlos Alcaraz (2022 Miami) |
| 2002 | Lorenzo Musetti (2025 Monte-Carlo) |
| 2001 | Jannik Sinner (2021 Miami) |
| 2000 | Felix Auger-Aliassime (2024 Madrid) |
The list includes Carlos Alcaraz (born 2003), Jannik Sinner (2001), Lorenzo Musetti (2002), Arthur Fils (2004) and Jakub Mensik (2005).
5. Four Comebacks From a Set Down — A Rare Masters 1000 Feat
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Jodar’s Shanghai campaign has been his ability to overcome adversity.
The Spaniard became just the second player in Masters 1000 history to rally from a set down four times en route to the semifinals, joining American Todd Martin, who accomplished the feat at the 1998 Paris Masters.
Jodar defeated Thiago Agustin Tirante in the second round, Jiri Lehecka in the third round, Botic van de Zandschulp in the round of 16 and Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, winning each match in three sets after dropping the opener.
After surviving those four battles, Jodar needed just two sets to dispatch Medvedev and book his place in Sunday’s final against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
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