Jodar Beats Injury-Hit Fils to Reach Washington R2

Jódar's brilliant 2026 rolls on at Washington

Rafael Jódar continued the most impressive rise in men's tennis this year, defeating eighth seed Arthur Fils 7-6(5), 6-3 in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open on Tuesday. The 19-year-old Spaniard, now ranked No. 24 in the world, has accumulated 40 victories in 2026 — a tally that puts him among the busiest and most effective players on the entire tour at this stage of the season.

The opening set was a tight affair in which neither player could find a break of serve. The tiebreak settled matters in Jódar's favour at 7-5, and the Spaniard then took control of a second set that was further complicated by a physio stoppage for Fils. With the Frenchman trailing 1-3, he called for treatment on a recurring back and hip problem that first emerged in Rome earlier this season. Fils had competed at Wimbledon in late June and early July without disclosing the injury, and Tuesday's match was his first since the grass-court Grand Slam. Jódar, unfazed, closed out the second set 6-3.

From No. 168 to No. 24 in one season

Jódar began the year ranked 168th in the world and has since compiled one of the great individual-season stories on tour. In April he claimed his first ATP Tour title at the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech, defeating Marco Trungelliti 6-3, 6-2 in the final. In doing so he became the first teenager to win that tournament in its history. A run to the quarter-finals at Roland Garros followed, propelling him into the top 60 before a further climb brought him to his current standing at No. 24. His record against top-30 opponents since March stands at 5-1 — a statistic that reflects not just fortunate draws but a consistent ability to raise his level when the opposition demands it.

Washington represents a different surface test, but Jódar has shown his game travels beyond clay. The win over Fils — who, injury or not, remains one of the most physically imposing players on tour — demonstrated the Spaniard's composure and tactical patience on hardcourt.

Nishikori awaits, Fils faces US Open uncertainty

Jódar's second-round opponent is Kei Nishikori, the Japanese veteran competing in his farewell season. Nishikori, a former world No. 4 and a past champion of this tournament, ended a personal run of 13 consecutive ATP losses when he defeated Yibing Wu Shang in round one on Monday. The match-up between the rising Spanish teenager and the retiring Japanese legend is one of the more poignant contrasts the Washington draw has produced.

ATPJódar comes from a set down again to sink Van de Zandschulp in Shanghai

For Fils, the concern is what comes next. With the US Open approaching in under six weeks, his back and hip problem — confirmed by the physio call on Tuesday — raises questions about his preparation for the North American hardcourt swing. The 22-year-old has not played competitively since Wimbledon, and a first-round exit against a player he might have been expected to beat at full fitness only heightens the uncertainty around his availability.

Day 2 at Washington also saw Learner Tien, the fifth seed, fall 7-5, 6-4 to a resurgent Adrian Mannarino, while Tommy Paul was beaten 7-5, 7-6(4) by Kamil Majchrzak — the Pole who won his first ATP title on grass in June and is now making a compelling case to reach the quarter-finals. Ben Shelton, Ugo Humbert and Jakub Menšík all progressed without drama. The men's draw, trimmed from 48 to 32 players this year, has already lived up to its promise of tighter, higher-stakes matches from the very first round.