Rafael Jodar beats Botic van de Zandschulp after losing the opening set in Shanghai

Van de Zandschulp takes the opening tiebreak

Rafael Jodar entered his first tour-level meeting with Botic van de Zandschulp as the 12th seed. Van de Zandschulp saved both break points he faced in the opening set, then won the tiebreak to take the first set.

For Jodar, recovering from an opening-set loss was already a feature of this Shanghai run. He had beaten Tirante and Lehecka from a set down in his previous two matches. Continuing his tournament debut into the quarterfinals would require a third consecutive comeback.

Jodar levels the match with a winning volley

Jodar broke to open the second set, but van de Zandschulp broke back for 3-3. A van de Zandschulp double fault surrendered another break. Jodar finished the set with a winning volley, taking it 6-4 to level the match at one set apiece.

Two breaks decide the final set

A van de Zandschulp forehand error gave Jodar a break in the deciding set's opening game. Jodar held for 2-0. Another double fault gave him a double-break lead at 5-2, and he then served out the match.

Across the completed match, Jodar won 47 of 67 first-serve points and converted four of nine break opportunities. He held 14 of his 15 service games, while van de Zandschulp held 11 of 15.

A fourth Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season

The victory improved Jodar's season tour-level record to 41-16 and secured a quarterfinal appearance on his Shanghai debut. It was his fourth Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season, following appearances at that stage in Madrid, Rome and Canada.

Casper Ruud was confirmed as Jodar's next opponent after advancing following Felix Auger-Aliassime's retirement. Jodar reached that matchup having won three consecutive matches from a set down in Shanghai.