Spanish prodigy Rafael Jodar is rapidly approaching a historic milestone in men’s tennis, potentially setting a new record for the swiftest ascent into the ATP top ten after his victory over Arthur Filis in the Canadian Open quarter‑finals. The 19‑year‑old clinched the match in a rain‑disrupted encounter on Tuesday, prevailing 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑3.
This win guarantees him a rise to at least the 11th spot in the world rankings, a remarkable jump from his year‑start position of 165. Jodar’s next challenge will be a semi‑final clash with American youngster Brandon Nakashima on Wednesday night, a bout that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
A win in that match could see Jodar shatter the long‑standing benchmark set by Boris Becker, who took 210 days to move from outside the top 100 to the top ten. Jodar is on track to achieve the same feat in just 140 days, should he continue his current form. 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 dominant throughout the tournament, dispatching Jakub Mensík in straight sets 6‑3, 6‑1 in just 72 minutes and remaining unbeaten in any set so far. If Jodar and Shelton meet in Thursday’s championship match, a victory for the Spaniard would not only secure him a place in the top ten but also cement his status as the fastest player ever to make that leap.
Reflecting on his performance, Jodar said, "I played at a very high level against a tough opponent like Arthur. I had to give my best to win this match. It worked perfectly, staying calm in those important moments, those pressure moments." His composure under pressure was evident, especially during the tie‑break that decided the first set.
In the women’s draw, Kazakh star Elena Rybakina staged a dramatic comeback after dropping the opening set to 11th‑seeded Naomi Osaka. Rybakina rallied to win 4‑6, 7‑6 (7‑5), 6‑4, securing her spot in the semi‑finals of the WTA Canadian Open in Toronto.
Osaka started strongly, breaking serve in the first game and maintaining that advantage to take the first set. The second set saw both competitors exchange breaks twice before Rybakina edged the set in a tense tie‑break. 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 match of the tournament.
Rybakina expressed her delight, 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 exactly how, but I think my serve helped me a little bit." Her win not only advances her to the semi‑finals but also puts her in contention to overtake Aryna Sabalenka as world number one later this month. In the semi‑finals, Rybakina is slated to face American sensation Coco Gauff, who advanced after receiving a walkover when Belinda Bencic withdrew due to a hip injury.
The other semi‑final will feature a showdown between Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina, with the winner earning a place in Thursday’s final. Both the ATP and WTA tours, along with the upcoming US Open starting August 30, will be available live on Sky Sports or via streaming on NOW and the Sky Sports app. Tennis enthusiasts can also stay updated with scores, results, upcoming matches, video highlights, and exclusive content through the Sky Sports platform.
The tournament continues to deliver high‑octane drama, showcasing emerging talents like Jodar and established stars such as Rybakina, promising more thrilling encounters as the week progresses.