Jodar comes from two sets down to reach first slam quarter-final
· Yahoo Sports
Spain's teenage sensation Rafael Jodar is through to his first grand slam quarter-final after fighting back from two sets down to defeat compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta at the French Open.
Visit palladian.co.za for more information.
The 19-year-old has been the breakout star on clay this spring and he has lived up to the hype brilliantly at Roland Garros.
It appeared his race may have been run when he lost the opening two sets to 34-year-old Carreno Busta but Jodar stormed back to win 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-2.
Having also gone the distance against American Alex Michelsen in the third round, Jodar is now only one short of equalling Rafael Nadal’s tally of five-set matches at Roland Garros in his first tournament.
In a wide open draw, it is not inconceivable that Jodar could match Nadal’s achievement by lifting the trophy on his debut, but tougher tests lie ahead and the miles in his legs must be a concern.
This was not a particularly long five-setter, with Carreno Busta, who has worked his way back up the rankings after elbow surgery, in peak form for two sets but unable to sustain it.
He had treatment to his right shoulder after the end of the third set but Jodar was in the ascendancy by then and swept through to the last eight.
Next up for the Madrid teenager is a tantalising encounter with second seed and title favourite Alexander Zverev.
The German so far appears to be coping just fine with the expectation on his shoulders and, after a slow start, eased to a 7-6 (3) 6-4 6-1 victory over Dutch lucky loser Jesper de Jong.
Zverev said: “The beginning was a bit difficult, I didn’t start off strong and he did, he was playing very fast, but, once I found my rhythm, I felt very comfortable on the court and that’s the most important thing for me.
“I feel like my game is there and now it’s just about showing it on the match court.”
Zverev has reached three grand slam finals but is yet to win a major title, and he is expecting a serious test of his credentials from Jodar.
“He’s a very young player, incredibly talented, he’s come on the scene this clay-court season and gone from outside the top 100 to almost being top 20,” said the world number three.
“He’s playing incredible tennis. It’s going to be a very difficult challenge but I have to trust myself and I’ll be ready for it.”