Rafa Jódar delivered a standout performance at the 2026 Rome Masters 1000, overcoming local favorite Matteo Arnaldi in a gripping third-round clash. The Spanish talent clinched a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory in an atmosphere reminiscent of a Davis Cup tie, silencing a packed Centro Court at the Foro Italico. After a slow start to the season, Jódar’s resilience and quality shone through, all but guaranteeing his seeding at Roland Garros.
It’s no longer surprising to see Jódar reach the round of 16 at a Masters 1000 event, but the way he turned the match around on Sunday was remarkable. Down 1-3 in the decisive third set, the Madrid native stormed back to win five consecutive games, leaving Arnaldi and the roaring crowd stunned. The Italian, fresh off a title in Cagliari, had briefly taken control with brilliant tennis, but Jódar’s aggressive game and mental fortitude proved decisive.
The opening set was a masterclass from the Spaniard, who raced through five straight games to seal it in just 30 minutes. Arnaldi, however, found his rhythm in the second set, breaking early and feeding off the energy of the home crowd. He capitalized on a few errors from Jódar to level the match and send the Foro Italico into a frenzy.
The momentum carried into the third set, where Arnaldi broke again to lead 3-1. But Jódar refused to waver. “Things change very quickly in matches. He played very well in the second set and the start of the third, but I knew I had to stay patient because that level is very hard to sustain,” Jódar said, reflecting on his comeback. He reeled off the next five games, closing out the match with powerful, aggressive tennis that left Arnaldi helpless.
Jódar now faces Learner Tien in the round of 16, with a spot in the quarterfinals of a Masters 1000 at stake. Currently on the verge of breaking into the Top 30, the Spanish star is brimming with confidence and ready to push his limits further.
