MADRID - World number one Jannik Sinner fended off a spirited challenge from 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar, winning 6-2, 7-6(0) in the Madrid Open quarterfinals Wednesday.
The victory makes the 24-year-old Italian the sixth player in ATP history to reach the semifinals of all nine Masters 1000 tournaments.
Sinner saved five break points in the second set and won 11 consecutive points to close out the tiebreak. Despite a double fault that nearly handed Jodar a break, Sinner responded with a crosscourt forehand and a pair of backhand winners grazing the sideline.
"He pushed me to the limit-he's an incredible player," Sinner said courtside. "I'm incredibly happy; it was a very high-quality match."
Sinner won his second claycourt title of the season last month in Monte-Carlo. He will face either Arthur Fils or Jiri Lehecka in the semifinals.