Jodar advances with commanding performance; Fils holds nerve in late tiebreak
At the National Bank Open in Montreal on Saturday, 19-year-old Rafael Jodar delivered a composed, clinical performance to defeat eighth-seeded Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3 and reach the ATP Masters 1000 quarter-finals. Frenchman Arthur Fils also advanced after a hard-fought victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie, winning 6-2, 7-6(8).
Jodar’s win, completed in one hour and 14 minutes, underlined the Spaniard’s rapid ascent this season. The teenager, competing this fortnight at a career-high No. 15 in the PIF ATP Rankings, has now reached seven quarter-finals in eight tournaments since April — a sequence that includes deep runs at Roland-Garros and the Madrid and Rome Masters 1000 events.
- Match tempo: Jodar controlled baseline exchanges, repeatedly targeting Lehecka’s backhand.
- Serve effectiveness: He won 86 per cent (24/28) of first-serve points and saved two of three break points.
- Decisive moments: Jodar produced a string of four consecutive winners to seal the final break.
"Super happy with my performance today. I have been playing a lot of matches, especially in the past few weeks... I am trying to go match by match, knowing that every match is difficult and I have to play very well in all the matches because everyone plays differently,"
Those were Jodar’s words after the victory, reflecting an approach that has fuelled his rapid rise from outside the top 100 earlier this season to a consistent presence in the second week of major tournaments.
In Montreal, Jodar imposed himself by keeping Lehecka uncomfortable with relentless depth and pace. After claiming the first set, the Spaniard applied constant pressure on his opponent’s serve and converted two breaks in the second set to close out the match. Jodar’s combination of heavy groundstrokes and a reliable first serve proved decisive.
Fils hangs on against Norrie
Elsewhere on the court, Arthur Fils of France survived a late surge from Cameron Norrie to win in straight sets. Fils took the opening set 6-2 but had to withstand a comeback attempt that pushed the second set to a tiebreak. He ultimately prevailed 7-6(8), advancing to the quarter-finals and setting up a clash with Jodar.
Fils’ win highlighted his growing poise in pressure moments. The match featured a blend of aggressive shot-making from Fils and the counterpunching consistency that Norrie is known for. In the tiebreak, Fils managed the crucial points better and held his nerve to close out the match.
Other notable results from Saturday
Saturday’s action in Montreal also produced a number of surprises and tight contests across singles and doubles draws.
| Event | Match | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Men's Singles (R16) | Rafael Jodar (ESP) d Jiri Lehecka (CZE) | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Men's Singles (R16) | Arthur Fils (FRA) d Cameron Norrie (GBR) | 6-2, 7-6(8) |
| Men's Singles (R16) | Luciano Darderi (ITA) d Nuno Borges (POR) | 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| Men's Singles (R16) | Brandon Nakashima (USA) d Arthur Rinderknech (FRA) | 7-6(4), 5-7, 7-5 |
In doubles, top seeds and fan favourites were active, with pairs such as Harri Heliovaara and Henry Patten advancing to the round of 16. French wildcards Duncan Chan and Alexis Galarneau pulled off an upset against the seeded team of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Kevin Krawietz, underscoring the depth of talent on show.
What it means for Montreal fans
For local spectators, the weekend’s results kept the excitement high as the tournament moves into the quarter-final phase. Jodar’s consistent form makes him one of the players to watch, while Fils’ tight win adds intrigue to their impending meeting. The National Bank Open continues to attract top international talent to Montreal, providing a showcase for emerging stars and seasoned contenders alike.
As the event progresses, Montreal will continue to host high-stakes matches that could shape the late-season rankings and spotlight new names on the ATP Tour. Fans can expect more competitive encounters as players vie for Masters 1000 points and momentum heading into the North American hard-court swing.
Coverage of the tournament continues this week with matches scheduled through to the finals. Stay tuned for updates from the courts in Montreal.
