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Jodar Rallies From Two Sets Down to Reach French Open Quarter-Finals

Victory signals clay-court momentum toward a quarter-final against Alexander Zverev or Jesper de Jong.

Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 31, 2026 Spain's Rafael Jodar in action during his fourth round match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 31, 2026 Spain's Rafael Jodar shakes hands with Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta after winning their fourth round match REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 31, 2026 Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta in action during his fourth round match against Spain's Rafael Jodar REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 31, 2026 Spain's Rafael Jodar reacts during his fourth round match against Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

Overview

  • Rafael Jodar came back from two sets down to beat Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 on Sunday to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros.
  • The 19-year-old sealed the win on his fifth match point after three hours and 41 minutes and showed late-match nerves before finishing with a powerful forehand.
  • Carreno Busta took a medical timeout for treatment to his right shoulder during the match and was unable to stop a run of unforced errors that shifted momentum to Jodar.
  • Jodar's run builds on a rapid rise from around 707 in the world a year ago and a breakthrough clay season that included a Marrakesh title and deep runs in Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
  • His form has turned him into a tournament dark horse and he arrives in the last eight with a tour-leading 19 clay-court wins this season and a date with second seed Alexander Zverev or lucky loser Jesper de Jong.