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Rafael Jódar will face Jiří Lehecka in the third round of the 2026 ATP Masters 1000 Shanghai on Monday, October 12. Eurosport reported that the match is scheduled to take place on GrandStand 2, starting around 08:00 peninsular Spanish time following the Coleman Wong or Learner Tien versus Casper Ruud fixture. Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus and Tennis TV hold the official television and streaming rights for the tournament in Spain.
How Rafael Jódar Reached the Third Round in Shanghai
Jódar secured his place in the third round after a three-set victory over Argentina’s Thiago Tirante, overcoming an opening set loss to win 4-6, 6-2, 6-3. El Confidencial reported that the young Spaniard from Leganés saved nine of the ten break points he faced during the grueling encounter and successfully claimed thirteen of his fourteen service games. The victory broke a three-match losing streak on the ATP circuit that included an unexpected first-round exit against Daniel Vallejo in Tokyo, though Jódar had picked up wins in Davis Cup and Laver Cup competition in the interim.
What to Expect from Jiří Lehecka in the Next Match
Standing across the net will be Czech competitor Jiří Lehecka, who enters the third-round clash as the world No. 16 according to data published by Punto de Break. Lehecka arrives in strong form during the Asian swing, having reached the final in Tokyo before falling to Carlos Alcaraz. In his Shanghai debut, the Czech player was forced to dig deep, mounting a comeback victory against Portugal’s Nuno Borges after dropping the opening set.
The upcoming match represents only the second meeting between Jódar and Lehecka on the professional tour. Eurosport noted that their lone previous encounter ended favorably for the Spanish player, who defeated the Czech opponent in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, at the Canadian Masters 1000.
Where and When to Watch the Jódar versus Lehecka Match
The third-round encounter between Rafael Jódar and Jiří Lehecka is slated for Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Qi Zhong Stadium in Shanghai, China. Punto de Break detailed that the match is positioned as the second fixture on GrandStand 2, getting underway immediately after the conclusion of the morning’s opening match between Tien and Ruud, which starts at 06:00 Spanish peninsular time.
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Viewers in Spain can watch the action live via television and streaming on Movistar Plus+, with the broadcast assigned to sports channels such as Deportes+ (Dial 64) or basic packages including #Vamos (Dial 7). Dedicated subscription streaming is also available worldwide through Tennis TV. Additionally, live text updates, statistics, and score tracking are available on Eurosport.es.
Questions About the Shanghai Masters Third-Round Fixture
What time does Rafael Jódar play on Monday?
The match is scheduled to begin around 08:00 local Spanish peninsular time on Monday, October 12, 2026, immediately following the conclusion of the Tien versus Ruud match on GrandStand 2.
Which television channels are broadcasting the match in Spain?
Movistar Plus+ holds the broadcast rights in Spain, airing the match across its sports channels like Deportes+ and #Vamos, while Tennis TV provides digital streaming on demand.
How did both players perform in their previous rounds?
Jódar bounced back from a set down to defeat Thiago Tirante 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, while Lehecka recovered from an early deficit to overcome Nuno Borges in three sets.
