Jodar Turns Debut into Epic Upset Over Tien
Rafael Jodar, last year’s hitting partner in Jeddah, saves four match points to defeat top seed Learner Tien in a five-set thriller at the Next Gen ATP Finals, proving underdogs can thrive under pressure.
In the charged air of Jeddah’s arena, Rafael Jodar transformed his underdog debut into a pulse-racing upset at the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF. The World No. 168, who served balls here last year without the spotlight, outlasted top seed Learner Tien in a gripping 1-4, 4-3(3), 1-4, 4-2, 4-3(4) battle that stretched two hours. Heavy topspin forehands and unyielding belief carried the 19-year-old Spaniard past the World No. 28, the field’s lone Top 100 player and heavy favorite, before a crowd that fed off every twist.
Jodar’s path twisted through Tien’s early control, where sharp returns pinned him back on the fast indoor hard courts. Yet the Spaniard absorbed the pressure, redirecting pace with crosscourt backhands to stay alive. As sets seesawed, his aggression sharpened, turning defensive scrambles into offensive surges.
“It was a battle,” said Jodar. “I knew the conditions were good for both, but I handled the good moments very well and I’m super happy to get the first win here in Jeddah. I just tried to keep going and believe in myself. Learner always plays well, so I had to keep believing and I knew that I was going to have a chance.”
Favorite’s errors open the door
Tien built an edge with his 1–2 pattern, wide serves setting up central forehands that exploited the court’s speed. But 23 unforced errors leaked across the second and fourth sets, cracking his rhythm as Jodar pounced with inside-out winners. The American’s precision faltered under the weight of expectations, handing the seventh seed chances to reset and counter with deep serves that hugged the baseline.
The Jeddah surface rewarded boldness, its quick bounces amplifying Jodar’s heavy hitting while exposing Tien’s lapses in depth control. Jodar shortened his backswing to handle the pace, volleying slice backhands at net to disrupt flows. This tactical pivot kept points short and sharp, easing the debutant’s nerves into focused fire.
Match points demand ice nerves
Down four match points in the fifth, Jodar faced the brink, the arena’s hum turning to a roar with each swing. He lured errors with underspin approaches, then sealed survival on the fourth with a drilled backhand down-the-line winner that kissed the line. Fearless in the clutch, he closed with a one–two punch, serve followed by forehand rip, flipping the script on the favorite.
That eruption of joy marked the turning point, raw relief after holding firm.
That Jodar celebration #NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/RiAFMLmyrJ
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 17, 2025
With a 1-0 mark in Blue Group, Jodar now targets fellow debutants Martin Landaluce and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer in the round-robin push. Tien’s stumble injects uncertainty into the standings, where every clash tests resolve on these lively courts. For the Spaniard, this breakthrough fuels a deeper run, blending power with poise in the season’s final spotlight.
