The name of the moment is Rafa Jódar. The Spanish tennis player reached Washington with a purpose, improve your tennis and sensations on the court. It seems that the plan is on the right track, since the one from Madrid has defeated Arthur Filsnumber 22 in the world, by 7-6 (5) and 6-3.
Jodareven knowing the US territory well due to his university background in Virginiadisputed his first match on an American hard court tour at ATP level. Almost a month after their last match at Wimbledonis already in the eighths of the American tournament.
The Madrid native arrived with a record of 11 victories against rivals with a higher ranking than him. Today, the number rises to 12and continues with its role of being the member of the top50 with the most victories against higher-ranked rivals.
Both took to the court with the Barcelona precedent in mind. On that occasion, Fils got his way and beat the Madrid native in almost two hours of play. After 101 days, they met again in their second official meeting.
An electric start
The Frenchman’s idea was clear, press as much as possible on the Spaniard’s second serve. The crossed right, his most recurrent weapon in those cases to try to catch his rival out of place. This is how the first ‘break’ of the match arriveda very offensive Fils both against the rest and with their backhand they broke Jódar’s serve in the first game of the match. Although it didn’t take long for the man from Madrid to react. he returned the break in the next game. Things were going against breaks.
Between the wind and the speed of the track, it was very important for Rafa to overcome that initial bump in terms of his confidence. The next three games on serve were calmer. Jódar increasing its percentage of first serves up to 70%and Fils, who never seems to be affected by returning from injury, continued with his plan, strong against the rest and very offensive with the parallel backhand. The match reached 5-5, and since the second game, The Frenchman had only given up one point on serve.
Lahyanichair umpire of the match, saw how the 19-year-old was saving difficult situations (three breaking points) with direct serves.
Jódar’s first bite
The first set went to tie-breaker. Jódar found the mini break in his favor with a parallel big reverse and enjoyed his first three set points with 6-3 in favor. The first two were saved by the Frenchman, but the Spanish would not forgive the third and with a good first, as the greats do, closed the first set after 57 minutes (7-6 (5)). The Spaniard had already sunk his teeth into the game.
Although he couldn’t be trusted since in Barcelona he also started scoring the first set, and everyone knows that the Frenchman is very into comebacks. But today in Washington it was not going to happen, and I already saw how the Spaniard was positioned with ‘break’ up in the third game of the second taking advantage of the doubts of the recent champion of the Conde de Godó, who requested medical attention.
Lethal in first rounds
A fearsome competitor Rafa Jodarespecially in debuts. Since Indian Wells he has not given up in the first round, and there are now eight consecutive victories in opening matches.
With a Fils visibly physically touchedthe rest of the match went to the Roland Garros quarterfinalist, who put pressure on his serve and moved his rival in the rest. So, Rafa Jódar now He has left his first mark as a professional in American lands.
Next objective, Nishikori
The Spanish will face the Japanese tomorrow Nishikori, who announced his retirement at the end of this yearin their round of 16 match of the Washington ATP 500.