Spanish prodigy Rafael Jodar is rapidly approaching a landmark achievement in men’s tennis, positioning himself to set a new record for the swiftest ascent into the ATP top ten after his quarter‑final victory over Arthur Filis at the Canadian Open. In a match that was intermittently disrupted by rain, the 19‑year‑old secured a 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑3 win, a result that guarantees his rise to at least the 11th spot in the world rankings—a dramatic climb from his year‑opening position of 165. Jodar’s next challenge will be a semi‑final clash against American rising star Brandon Nakashima, scheduled for Wednesday night and broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
A win in that encounter would not only propel Jodar into the top ten but also allow him to shatter the current benchmark held by former champion Boris Becker, who needed 210 days to move from the top 100 to the top ten. Jodar is on track to accomplish the same feat in just 140 days, should he continue his winning streak. However, Jodar’s path to the final also depends on the outcome of the other semi‑final, where defending champion Ben Shelton must be defeated by Learner Tien.
Shelton, a two‑time Grand Slam semi‑finalist, has been in dominant form, dispatching Jakub Mensík in straight sets 6‑3, 6‑1 in just 72 minutes and has yet to drop a set in the tournament. If Jodar and Shelton meet in Thursday’s championship match, a victory for Jodar would cement his place in the top ten and etch his name into tennis history.
Reflecting on his performance, Jodar said, "I played a very high level against a tough player like Arthur. I had to give my best to win this match. It worked perfectly, staying calm in those important moments of the match, those pressure moments." His composure under pressure was evident as he navigated the tight first set tiebreak and then asserted control in the second set. In parallel news from the women’s draw, Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina mounted a comeback after dropping the opening set to defeat 11th seed Naomi Osaka 4‑6, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑4, securing her place in the semi‑finals of the WTA Canadian Open in Toronto.
Osaka started strongly, breaking Jodar’s serve in the first game and maintaining that advantage to clinch the opening set. The second set saw both competitors exchange breaks twice before Rybakina edged the set in a tense tiebreak. In the decisive third set, Rybakina broke Osaka’s serve in the seventh game and never looked back, delivering what many commentators described as the tournament’s most compelling match. Rybakina expressed her satisfaction, saying, "Super happy.
It was a very difficult match. In the first set I made a few mistakes, a poor start. It was a really tough one but I'm glad I could turn it around, I don't yet know how, but I think my serve helped me a little bit." The win positions her to potentially overtake Aryna Sabalenka as world No. 1 later this month.
Rybakina’s next opponent will be American sensation Coco Gauff, who advanced to the semi‑finals after receiving a walkover when Belinda Bencic withdrew because of a hip injury. The other semi‑final will feature Iga Swiatek against Elina Svitolina, with both players vying for a spot in Thursday’s final. Fans can follow the ATP and WTA tours, as well as the upcoming US Open starting August 30, via live broadcasts on Sky Sports or through streaming on NOW and the Sky Sports app. The platform also offers contract‑free streaming, match highlights, and in‑depth analysis for tennis enthusiasts.
Overall, the Canadian Open continues to deliver high‑octane tennis drama, with young talents like Jodar and Rybakina challenging established stars and rewriting the narrative of the sport. Their performances not only captivate audiences but also underscore the depth of talent emerging on the global stage, promising an exciting future for tennis worldwide.