SHANGHAI — Rafael Jodar declared he is "happy about how things are going" after his three-set defeat to fellow Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the 2026 Shanghai Masters final on Sunday. World No 13 Jodar was beaten 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 by the 26th-ranked Davidovich Fokina in Shanghai, with the 19-year-old denied a second ATP Tour title in his maiden Masters 1000 final.
Jodar dominated the opening set and led by a break at 3-2 in the second, before coming within two points of victory at 5-5 in the tie-break as Davidovich Fokina forced a decider and closed out the contest. "It was a great week. I played a lot of matches. A lot of things to improve for the next tournament. And, yes, I didn't get the win today, but still happy about how things are going for me," Jodar said.
Asked when the momentum shifted, Jodar pointed to fine margins. "Well, he was playing good, too. Little small details in the second set that he played better than me, I think that's, yeah, why he came back in the second set. And then in third set, very close one, and in the break points, he played better," he said. On the occasion of his first Masters final, he added: "No, the same, another tennis match. Just try to enjoy the moment and the match. Yeah, I gave everything, but it wasn't meant to be today."
The teenager had been aiming to add to his triumph in Marrakech in April, his first ATP Tour title, but was edged out in a tight final set. Jodar also reflected on the ongoing support from his former college programme at the University of Virginia, saying: "Well, yeah, I'm still in contact with them. I have great relationship with all of my teammates, and the coaches as well. When I have a chance, I have some free time, I try to call them or even go there, because I have many good memories about my stay in Virginia, and I will always be grateful to spend one year there."