Madrid Open ATP Quarterfinals Round-up | Sinner survives Jodar test in thriller as Fils continues blistering form against Lehecka

The first half of the ATP quarterfinal lineup at the Madrid Open would be played out. It was headlined by the world number one Jannik Sinner who was drawn against Rafael Jodar. The home hero put in a brilliant performance to keep tabs with his rival, but in the end, Sinner prevailed 6-2, 7-6(0).

A lot of hype was thrown around this tie. Jodar had been touted as a future superstar by many, and it is hard to see why when gazing at his showings on court. In a maiden Masters 1000 quarterfinal, he had a good crack at Sinner but inevitably was not able to seal the win. It is now 21 wins on the spin in 2026 for Sinner as well as a 26th Masters 1000 victory in a row. He adds his name to a coveted list who has reached the semi-final stage of every Masters 1000 tournament as his quest for more silverware goes on.

The early signs indicated that this would be a remarkable battle between to very talented tennis players. Jodar got the crowd on sight from when the first ball was hit and would go in front with a comfortable hold, not showing any signs of nerves. He then pushed Sinner on his serve before being met with a brace of break points. Sinner failed to snatch at the opportunity which bestowed him, allowing Jodar to reclaim the lead.

Subsequently, that would be the final game the Spaniard won in that set, but not for the want of trying. He put all sorts of pressure on the Sinner serve which was not flourishing as usual. A break point came and went before he managed to bring the score level again. He then clinched the first break of the match and took full command.

Back came Jodar, creating another break point expertly deviated by the Italian. He showed him how it was done, breaking to love before winning four consecutive points to get the first set under his belt. He dropped just one of the last 11 points in that set, a sign of things to come.

Jodar got on the board for the first time since the third game of the match. The second set was a much more closely fought affair, albeit the scoreline in the first did flatter Sinner slightly. At 3-2 and 4-3 behind, Sinner would find himself in hot water. A total of five break points were created, but every single one was dealt with. The four-time Grand Slam champion lived up to his name’s sake, pulling the rabbit out of the hat again and again to get himself out of trouble.

The lack of a clinical edge would cost Jodar in the end. He did do well when faced with break points. After that debacle, Sinner has opportunities to set up a scenario where he would serve it out. Jodar refused to buckle as the contest prolonged.

The 19-year-old did well to confirm at minimum a tiebreak, going 6-5 up. From here, he would not win another point. Sinner steamrolled him from this moment in time onwards. He held to love before winning all seven points in the tiebreak to seal an emphatic ending to what was an enthralling contest between two fantastic tennis players. Jodar showed the credentials of a future great, but the current world number one proved to have that extra gear which got him over the line.

Arthur Fils continues to prove his worth on the big stage. He banished those woes from Florida as he defeated an inform Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-4 to confirm a second Masters 1000 semi-final and a ninth straight win on clay in 2026.

Fils is a man in form. In the two prior Masters 1000 tournaments he has competed in this year, he has reached the quarterfinal and semi-finals at Indian Wells and the Miami Open respectively. That matchup in Florida was against the Czech, which resulted in a defeat and Fils still waiting for a first Masters 1000 final.

He would get one step closer to that ambition with a win on Manolo Santana. He broke in the second game of the set to build up a healthy advantage. This proved to be extremely pivotal with Fils serve staying at a very high level throughout the set. Lehecka was unable to make any inroads and was banished to a one set deficit.

The Frenchman was also looking to continue his unbeaten streak on clay in 2026. He had reached eight on the spin after winning the Barcelona Open, and 19 in his last 22, an incredible record.

The second set was again very much on serve, until Fils struck the final blow. At 4-3, he created a single break point against the 2024 semi-finalist and took it expertly. He backed it up with a hold to love to edge 5-3 ahead. It was desperate times with Lehecka who responded with a comfortable hold to force the 21-year-old to serve it out.

This was done with no problem. Fils cemented his spot in the semi-final, where the world number one is waiting for him in a hugely anticipated clash in the Spanish capital.