Rafael Jódar fell just short of his first ATP Masters 1000 final, dropping a hard-fought semifinal 7-6(3), 6-4 to American Brandon Nakashima at the National Bank Open in Montreal, Canada. Despite mounting a gritty defense that included saving four match points, the 19-year-old Spaniard’s impressive hard-court run came to an end against an aggressive opponent who capitalized on a dominant service game.
How Nakashima’s Serve and Forehand Drove the Semifinal
From the opening games in Montreal, Brandon Nakashima relied on a lethal combination of first-serve execution and deep backhand drives to dictate the tempo. According to match statistics, the American dropped only four points on his serve during the first set, keeping Jódar on the back foot. While the teenager managed to fend off six break points throughout the opener, Nakashima ultimately seized control in the tiebreak to take a one-set lead.
Jódar faced immediate adversity at the start of the second set, conceding an early break after scrambling to erase a double-break deficit. Refusing to fold, the Madrid native began finding his range from the baseline, blunting the depth of Nakashima’s groundstrokes and exposing occasional tactical vulnerabilities in the American’s game. However, missed opportunities to convert crucial break chances prevented the Spaniard from completing a full-scale comeback.
The Battle to Stay Alive in Montreal
Trailing 5-4 in the second set, Jódar demonstrated the resilience that has defined his breakthrough professional season. He dug deep to fend off four separate break points under intense pressure, forcing Nakashima to work extensively before securing victory on his fifth attempt. Nakashima also had to withstand late pressure, saving four break points that could have allowed Jódar to claw back into the second set.
The defeat halts a stellar hard-court stretch for Jódar, who arrived in Canada drawing attention as an emerging talent on the ATP Tour. Having previously reached the final in Washington and claimed a title in Marrakech back in April, the teenager continues to climb toward the upper echelons of professional tennis despite Friday’s setback.
What Lies Ahead for Nakashima
With the victory, Brandon Nakashima advances to the biggest final of his career. He moves on to face either the defending champion Ben Shelton or fellow American Learner Tien for the Montreal title. For Jódar, the tournament serves as another vital stepping stone in his rapid rise on the professional circuit as the tour looks ahead to the upcoming hard-court events.
Worth a look
/data/photo/2026/08/13/6a7cf1ab05f88.jpg)