Rafael Jodar beats Casper Ruud after losing the opening set in Shanghai

Ruud saves three break points, then takes the set

Ruud saved three break points to move ahead 5-4 in the opening set, denying Jodar a late break.

He then broke Jodar in the tenth game to secure the set. The opening-set advantage went to Ruud in the players' first tour-level meeting.

A love hold sends Jodar into the decider

Jodar gained an early break in the second set, but Ruud immediately recovered it to level at 2-2. Jodar broke again for 5-4, giving him the opportunity to serve for the set. He held to love to force a third set, completing the second-set finish with a break followed by a service game without conceding a point.

Repeated breaks settle the third set

Jodar broke for 2-1; Ruud broke back for 2-2. Jodar broke again and consolidated with an ace for 4-2. Ruud saved the first two match points. A passing shot earned Jodar his fourth, and Ruud double-faulted on that opportunity to end the set 6-3.

Five breaks and a fourth comeback

Jodar converted five of 15 break opportunities overall, while Ruud converted three of seven. Jodar finished with six aces and no double faults; Ruud had ten aces and five double faults. On first-serve points, Jodar won 73 percent compared with Ruud's 63 percent. Ruud's higher ace total therefore accompanied a lower percentage of first-serve points won over the completed match.

Three of Jodar's five breaks came in the deciding set, with all five coming across the final two sets after Ruud had taken the opener. The victory completed his fourth consecutive comeback from a set down during his Shanghai debut. At 20, he became the youngest semifinalist in the tournament's history.