Yannik Sinner has successfully halted the inspiring journey of the young Spanish talent Rafael Khodar, defeating him with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) at the Madrid Open on Wednesday. This victory marks Sinner's progression to the semifinals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events, showcasing his consistent excellence on the court.
The 19-year-old Khodar has made a significant impact during the clay court season, capturing his first ATP title in Marrakech and reaching the semifinals in Barcelona, as well as the quarterfinals in Madrid, before being halted by the world number one. Remarkably, just a year ago, Khodar was competing in university tennis for the University of Virginia and ranked at 687 in the world. Following his recent performances, he is set to enter the top 35 in the upcoming rankings released on Monday.
Sinner faced a genuine test in this match, extending his current winning streak to 21 consecutive matches. He is now poised to face either world number one Jerry Lehečka or Arthur Fils in the semifinals on Friday. Although the first set score of 6-2 might suggest a routine match for Sinner, it was far from easy, as he encountered a young opponent capable of matching his attacking power, particularly with a formidable forehand.
The Italian player was challenged multiple times during his service games, including a marathon game at 2-2, where he had to save two break points before finally clinching the first set in 44 minutes. Leveraging the enthusiastic support from the crowd, which included several current and former Real Madrid stars, Khodar faced a perilous start to the second set, putting pressure on Sinner's serve.
Despite his best efforts, Khodar was unable to convert any of the five break points he had, allowing Sinner to level the score at 4-4. The set naturally progressed to a tiebreak, where Sinner took control, winning the last 11 points of the match, thus securing his first semifinal appearance in Madrid.
As reported by alarabiya.net.
