Rafael Jodar became the youngest quarter-finalist at the Italian Open in 21 years after beating American player Learner Tien 6-1, 6-4 in Rome on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old has become the first teenager to reach the quarter-finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia since Novak Djokovic achieved the feat in 2007.
Jodar enjoyed a breakthrough clay-court season in 2026, winning the title in Marrakech and reaching the semi-finals in Barcelona before progressing to the last eight in Madrid and Rome.
“I’m super happy. I’m just trying to play the games and be focused on what I have to do,” Jodar said in his on-field interview.
The teenager controlled much of the match against Tien with aggressive basic play and strong groundstrokes.
He now shares the Tour lead in victories on clay this season with Tomás Martín Etcheverry.
Jodar will face Alexander Zverev or Luciano Darderi in the quarterfinals.
He will also become the highest-ranked teenager in the ATP rankings next week after rising to world number 29 in the live rankings.
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