Rafael Jodar beats Lehecka 6-3, 6-3 to reach Montreal QF; Fils edges Norrie
Synopsis
A 19-year-old who began the season outside the Top 100 is now three consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinals deep. Rafael Jodar's 6-3, 6-3 dismantling of eighth seed Lehecka in Montreal is not a fluke — it is a pattern, and his third meeting with Fils this season could define the next chapter of a genuine ATP rivalry.
Key Takeaways
Rafael Jodar defeated Jiri Lehecka 6-3, 6-3 to reach the Canadian Open quarterfinals on 9 August .
Jodar has reached three consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinals and 7 QFs in 8 tournaments since April.
The 19-year-old is now ranked at a career-high of No.
13 in the ATP Rankings.
Arthur Fils beat Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-6(8) on his sixth match point to set up a Jodar clash.
Brandon Nakashima survived a 1 hour 46 minute weather delay to beat Arthur Rinderknech 7-6(4), 5-7, 7-5 .
Luciano Darderi became the first player to reach 10 quarterfinals this season after beating Nuno Borges 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 .
Rafael Jodar continued his stunning rise on the ATP Tour with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 defeat of eighth-seeded Jiri Lehecka of Czechia at the Canadian Open in Montreal on 9 August, booking a quarterfinal berth and pushing his ranking to a career-high.
Jodar's Remarkable Run
The 19-year-old Jodar has now won seven of his last eight matches and reached three consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinals — a streak that stretches back to the clay-court swing in Madrid. Notably, this is his seventh quarterfinal in eight tournaments since the start of April, a run of consistency that few players of his age have matched at this level.
Jodar entered the fortnight ranked No. 15 in the ATP Rankings — already a career-high — having begun the season outside the Top 100. His maiden tour-level title came in Marrakech in April, and he is now seeking a second title of the season in Montreal, where he is competing for the first time.
Jodar vs Fils: Third Meeting of the Season
Next up for Jodar is a third clash of the year with Arthur Fils. Their rivalry has been evenly split: Fils won their first encounter in Barcelona in April, before Jodar levelled the series with a victory in Washington last week. The Montreal quarterfinal will serve as the decider.
Fils advanced to the last eight with a 6-2, 7-6(8) win over Britain's Cameron Norrie, eventually converting on his sixth match point to wrap up play at IGA Stadium. It is his fourth Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season, having previously reached the final eight in Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid.
Nakashima Battles Through Weather Delay
Brandon Nakashima produced one of the more dramatic victories of the tournament, defeating Arthur Rinderknech 7-6(4), 5-7, 7-5 after a weather suspension that halted play for one hour and 46 minutes with the final set locked at 4-4. Nakashima returned from the delay to close out the match, ending a 0-5 record in previous Round-of-16 matches at the Masters 1000 level.
Darderi Makes History; Monday's Quarterfinal Lineup
Nakashima will face No. 19 seed Italian Luciano Darderi in Monday's opening quarterfinal. Darderi reached the last eight by overcoming Nuno Borges 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, becoming the first player this season to reach 10 quarterfinals on the ATP Tour. The Canadian Open quarterfinals promise a compelling mix of rising stars and seasoned contenders as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Point of View
A 250-level event. Montreal is his first genuine chance to test that ceiling against elite competition. Meanwhile, Darderi's milestone of 10 quarterfinals in a season — achieved before anyone else this year — is being underreported: it signals a depth of consistency that could reshape the next tier of the ATP rankings.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Rafael Jodar perform against Jiri Lehecka at the Canadian Open?
Jodar defeated Lehecka 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets on 9 August to advance to the Montreal quarterfinals. The result continued his run of seven wins from eight matches and pushed him to a career-high ranking.
Who will Rafael Jodar face in the Montreal quarterfinals?
Jodar will face Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals, their third meeting of the 2025 season. Fils won their first encounter in Barcelona, while Jodar took their Washington rematch last week.
How did Arthur Fils beat Cameron Norrie?
Fils defeated Norrie 6-2, 7-6(8) , eventually converting on his sixth match point to seal the win at IGA Stadium. It is Fils' fourth Masters 1000 quarterfinal of the season.
What happened during Brandon Nakashima's match against Arthur Rinderknech?
Play was suspended for one hour and 46 minutes due to inclement weather with the final set tied at 4-4 . Nakashima returned to win 7-6(4), 5-7, 7-5 , ending a 0-5 record in previous Masters 1000 Round-of-16 matches.
What record did Luciano Darderi set at the Canadian Open?
Darderi became the first player to reach 10 quarterfinals in the 2025 ATP season after beating Nuno Borges 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 . He will face Nakashima in Monday's opening quarterfinal.
