Rafael Jodar defeats Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to reach his first Masters 1000 final

Jodar takes the opening set

Jodar entered the semifinal after recovering from a set down in each of his first four Shanghai matches. Against Medvedev, he won in straight sets, reaching his first Masters 1000 final and becoming the youngest finalist in tournament history.

Jódar's opening service game lasted 13 minutes. He broke for 3-1, Medvedev broke back, and Jódar broke again to lead 4-2.

Jodar won the first set 6-3. After winning it, he requested physiotherapy before the second set.

Medvedev moves ahead

Jódar opened the second set with a break and held for 2-0. Medvedev broke for 2-2, then held to lead 3-2.

After surrendering his break advantage in the second set, Jodar recovered to win three of the final four games. That finish secured the semifinal victory.

A love hold closes the match

Medvedev saved three match points at 5-3. Jódar then served out to love.

The completed match lasted one hour, 44 minutes and six seconds.

Jódar converted four of seven break chances, while Medvedev converted two of six. Jódar also finished with six aces and two double faults; Medvedev had three aces and four double faults.

Across the completed semifinal, Jódar earned one more break opportunity than Medvedev and converted two more of those chances on return.

Medvedev said afterward that Jódar's greater pressure on return had made the difference.

An all-Spanish final

The win over sixth-ranked Medvedev was Jodar's second career victory against a Top-10 opponent. He advanced to face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the ninth all-Spanish Masters 1000 final in series history.

That pairing guaranteed Shanghai its first Spanish singles champion.