Jodar beats Musetti again to reach fourth round…

Skip to main content directly

When Rafael Jodar faced Lorenzo Musetti last week in Washington, the Spaniard might have had the edge since his opponent hadn’t played a tournament for almost three months thanks to a thigh injury. Jodar won from a set down.

In the rematch at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers on Thursday night, Musetti might have entered with the advantage, since Jodar faced a quick turnaround from Washington. Rain meant the D.C. final was played on Monday, not giving Jodar much time to adjust. But after defeating the tricky Corentin Moutet on Wednesday, the rising 19-year-old backed it up by getting the better of Musetti once more, 6-4, 6-3, in the third round on a humid Montreal night.

READ: de Minaur misses match point, Fils looks sharp at NBO

“Generally I played solid, trying to attack when I could,” said Jodar, who cracked the Top 20 this week. “Lorenzo (Musetti) is a tough player. I knew how to play the pressure moments very well, so I’m super happy.”

Musetti led 2-0 in the first set but maybe more relevant was that it took the Italian 11 minutes to hold to start things off. It was a sign of things to come. Jodar’s big baseline hitting gradually took over and he grabbed the momentum. Musetti became frustrated when he couldn’t capitalize on two break points at 4-3, then was broken to love.

Musetti got back into the match early in the second frame before Jodar started the third game by prevailing on a 26-shot rally that ended with a Musetti backhand volley miscue. Frustration grew from Musetti — who attempted to keep Jodar off balance with drop shots. In the eighth game, Jodar cracked one of the biggest forehands of the night to help him hold for 5-3 and Musetti was broken again.

“Even though I was a set and 4-1 up, I think (the score) was a bit tricky,” said Jodar. “It was a very good job resetting for me mentally after that, at 4-3, with my serve, playing consistent points.”

In Washington, Musetti won 48 percent of his second serve points. In Montreal, it slipped even lower, to 37 percent. Jodar hit14 forehand winners and committed 10 unforced errors compared to Musetti’s seven forehand winners and 21 unforced errors. Musetti is still looking for his rhythm after his injury layoff. Jodar’s idol, another Spanish ‘Rafa,’ Nadal, loved playing in Montreal. Jodar seems to be liking it too so far during his first visit to the city.

Photo: Pascal Ratthé/Tennis Canada