Rafael Jódar advances in Washington ATP 500, eyes breakthrough at Montreal Masters 1000

Spanish ATP No. 24 Rafael Jódar defeated veteran Kei Nishikori in the quarter‑finals of the ATP 500 event in Washington, posting a flawless service record and converting all three break‑point chances. The win moves Jódar into the semi‑finals and fuels his push toward a top‑20 ranking for the first time.

The upcoming ATP Masters 1000 in Montreal 2026 presents a rare opportunity for a first‑time champion, as leading players Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic are absent. Over the past four editions the Canadian tournament has crowned a newcomer each year – Pablo Carreño (2022), Jannik Sinner (2023), Alexei Popyrin (2024) and Ben Shelton (2025). With the field wide open, contenders such as Félix Auger‑Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, Jódar and Joao Fonseca are among those poised to claim the title, which traditionally serves as a key lead‑up to the US Open.