Budkov Kjaer Nears Semis with Gritty Jeddah Win
Nicolai Budkov Kjaer turned the tables on Rafael Jodar in Jeddah, avenging a past defeat and positioning himself on the cusp of the Next Gen ATP Finals semifinals with sharp tactics and cool resolve.
In the charged atmosphere of King Abdullah Sports City, Nicolai Budkov Kjaer delivered a poised performance at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, outlasting Rafael Jodar 4-1, 4-2, 1-4, 4-2 on Thursday. The 19-year-old Norwegian, riding momentum from his four-set victory over Martin Landaluce in the Blue Group opener, improved to 2-0 and edged closer to the semifinals in this 20-and-under showdown. His game blended aggressive baseline fire with adaptive defense, turning the indoor hard court’s speed into an ally against a Spaniard fresh off a stunning upset.
“I’m just trying to focus on winning the matches, but to be qualified [would be] cool, so I hope it happens,” said Budkov Kjaer. “I started off great… Every shot I played went in, and Rafa was probably a bit nervous, which is probably normal. It’s tough to play a match after a big win. I’m very happy with the win of course.”
Early dominance meets fierce resistance
Budkov Kjaer seized control from the baseline, firing crosscourt forehands that stretched Jodar wide and forced hurried returns into the net. His heavy topspin gripped the fast surface, pulling the Spaniard forward and opening angles for inside-in backhands that clipped the lines. The crowd’s murmurs built as he held serve effortlessly in the opening sets, his first-strike returns neutralizing Jodar’s flat groundstrokes.
But Jodar, who had toppled World No. 28 Learner Tien for his first Top 100 win in the opener, ignited in the third set with a deep down-the-line backhand that broke the Norwegian’s rhythm. The shift injected tension, Jodar’s quick footwork now dictating shorter points on the slick court. Budkov Kjaer absorbed the pressure, using slice backhands to slow the pace and reset the exchanges.
Tactical resets seal the revenge
Adjusting mid-match, Budkov Kjaer unleashed a 1–2 pattern—serve followed by a penetrating forehand—to reclaim the initiative in the fourth set. He varied his placement, mixing wide serves with body targets to keep Jodar off-balance, then pounced on second serves with deep returns. The 79-minute match ended with two aces and an unreturned first serve, the ball zipping past as the Jeddah crowd erupted.
This triumph carried deep personal weight, avenging his loss to Jodar in the 2024 US Open boys’ singles final, where the Spaniard’s consistency had prevailed. Budkov Kjaer’s climb from outside the Top 500 to No. 138 in the PIF ATP Rankings, fueled by four ATP Challenger Tour titles, shone through in his mental fortitude. Jodar, a three-time Challenger champion this year and now 1-1 in the group, remains in the hunt but couldn’t sustain his surge against the Norwegian’s evolving attack.
Qualification path sharpens focus
A Landaluce win over Tien later Thursday clinches Budkov Kjaer’s semifinal spot outright, though even a Tien victory keeps him strongly positioned in the round-robin format. His composure under the lively crowd’s gaze hints at a player ready for bigger stages, where tactical nuance meets unyielding drive. As the Blue Group tightens, Budkov Kjaer’s blend of power and precision sets the tone for a potential deep run in Jeddah’s proving ground.
