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Rafael Jodar of Spain celebrates his win over Jiri Lehecka of Czechia during Round of 16 tennis action at the National Bank Open in Montreal on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi
By The Canadian Press

Jubilant Jodar reaches NBO Open quarterfinals with quick win over Lehecka

Aug 8, 2026 | 4:08 PM

MONTREAL — Spaniard Rafael Jodar made quick work of Czechia’s Jiri Lehecka on Saturday in the fourth round of men’s singles at the National Bank Open in Montreal.

The 19-year-old Jodar upset the No. 8 seed 6-3, 6-3, using clinical serving and timely breaks to capitalize on Lehecka’s 34 unforced errors over the one-hour, 14-minute match at IGA Stadium.

Despite the lopsided score, the teenager remained level-headed and composed when asked to reflect on his overall performance.

“It was a very tough match,” said Jodar. “Jiri is having a great season, especially on hard (courts). We saw it in Miami. He made the finals. He’s a very aggressive player, so you have to be there every point.”

The Spaniard won all 13 of his first-serve points in the opening set and never faced a break point. He converted his only breakpoint opportunity in the eighth game to take the opener.

Jodar then broke immediately to start the second set and added two more late breaks to solidify the decisive victory.

His play has caught the attention of tennis fans around the world and those in attendance at his matches this week in Montreal, who have come to regularly chant “Let’s go Rafa!” during the match.

“It’s a great feeling when everyone is supporting you and cheering for you,” he said. “It’s a great experience, especially in a country that is not where you are from, it’s always very nice and very special.”

Jodar, who began the year ranked 168th, advances to his third consecutive Masters 1000 quarterfinal, but first on hard courts.

His meteoric rise up the rankings is not top of mind, though, for Jodar.

“I think the rankings are something secondary,” he said. “I try to focus on my development and on the things that I can improve. That is what I take from all these tournaments.”

The teen will next face France’s Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals. The No. 18 seed took down Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-6 (8) in the final match of the evening session.

Earlier in the day, Luciano Darderi of Italy was the first to punch his ticket to the quarterfinals with a three-set win over Portugal’s Nuno Borges.

The 19th-seeded Darderi prevailed 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 despite Borges hitting 23 more winners and firing 17 total aces to his four.

“I am feeling great,” said Darderi. “I think I am playing better match after match. I am playing good. Today was a really good fight.”

The 24-year-old’s 30th win this season made him the first man to reach 10 ATP Tour quarterfinals this season.

He will play Brandon Nakashima in Monday’s quarterfinal after the American defeated Arthur Rinderknech of France 7-6 (4), 5-7, 7-5 on Saturday. The match was tied 4-4 in the third set when loud thunderstorms in the area forced a delay.

“It’s never easy to stop right in the middle of a match,” said Nakashima. “At the same time, I feel like it did help me a little bit because in the beginning of the third set, I was maybe a little bit frustrated or not as positive as I should be.”

For Nakashima, it is his first quarterfinal appearance at a Masters 1000 tournament in 36 attempts.

“It means a lot,” said Nakashima. “It’s a special moment for me, for sure. I played so many Masters before. With last year and this year now, I feel like I have been growing in the level and going deeper into these tournaments, slowly but surely.”

Lehecka’s loss means only one top 10 seed is left standing in the Masters 1000 singles draw. No. 5 seed Ben Shelton of the United States plays his fourth-round match Sunday night against Brazilian teen Joao Fonseca.

While there are no Canadians left in the men’s singles field in Montreal, the all-Canadian doubles team of Duncan Chan and Alexis Galarneau are still alive in the doubles draw.

The Canadian wild-cards, who are playing as a doubles pair for the first time, defeated the eighth-seeded duo of Pierre-Hughes Herbert and Kevin Krawietz.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 8, 2026.

Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press




by The Canadian Press