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At 20, Rafael Jodar Becomes the Youngest Shanghai Finalist in History

Rafael Jodar started 2026 ranked No. 168. After a dream week in Shanghai, the 20-year-old Spaniard is the youngest finalist in the tournament’s history and knocking on the door of the ATP Finals.

Published

6 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Royal Jones

Rafael Jodar celebrating at the Shanghai Masters

Rafael Jodar began 2026 ranked No. 168 in the world. He leaves the Shanghai Masters at a career-high No. 11 — and as the youngest finalist in the tournament’s history.

The Spanish #NextGenATP star, 20 years and 29 days old on finals day, came from a set down in four consecutive matches during his breakthrough week. He beat Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, then stunned former champion Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals, striking 22 winners in an hour and 44 minutes while Medvedev saved three match points just to keep it close.

Along the way, Jodar became only the second player ever, after Rafael Nadal, to win 20 Masters 1000 matches in a single season before turning 21.

In Sunday’s final he overwhelmed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina early, taking the first set 6-1 and leading by a break in the second. But his veteran countryman turned the match, and Jodar’s body gave out in the third set — the trainer worked on his right thigh and he twisted his foot — as he fell 1-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. ‘It was a great week,’ Jodar said. ‘I gave everything, but it wasn’t meant to be today.’

Shanghai caps a meteoric rise. Jodar won his first ATP title in Marrakech this year, reached the Washington final, and broke into the top 100 less than seven months ago. He leaves China with $612,340 and 650 ranking points, and he now sits ninth in the Race to Turin — which, with Jannik Sinner out for the season, puts him in line for the final ATP Finals qualifying spot. Next up: Basel.

The week was not spotless. After his fourth-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp, Jodar publicly apologized for swearing at a ball kid in frustration. ‘It was my mistake. I couldn’t control my emotions,’ he said. ‘I’m learning how to behave on court and I will try not to repeat it.’ The president of Spain’s tennis federation publicly backed him, calling him a great kid.

Photo credit: SportsTiger

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Angel Reese’s Historic Night Powers Dream Past Valkyries 97-71 for 2-1 Finals Lead

Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds to become the first player in WNBA history with a double-double in each of her first three Finals games, and the Atlanta Dream routed the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals.

Published

3 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Royal Jones

Angel Reese high-fives Jordin Canada during WNBA Finals Game 3

The Atlanta Dream turned their first home game of the WNBA Finals into a statement. Behind another commanding performance from Angel Reese, Atlanta blew out the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,099 at State Farm Arena, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and setting a franchise record for points in a Finals game.

Watch the official Game 3 highlights:

Atlanta’s defense set the tone from the opening tip. The Dream held Golden State scoreless for the first five minutes, and the Valkyries did not make a field goal until Aminata Gueye’s hook shot with 4:38 left in the first quarter. Atlanta led 23-15 after one and 46-40 at halftime.

Golden State made its push early in the third quarter, tying the game at 49. Reese answered personally, fueling an 8-0 run and capping it with a coast-to-coast driving layup. After the Valkyries trimmed the margin to 59-55, the Dream closed the quarter by scoring 12 of the final 14 points to carry a 71-57 lead into the fourth, then outscored Golden State 26-14 the rest of the way. Atlanta has now outscored Golden State 63-35 in third quarters across the series.

Angel Reese celebrates with Rhyne Howard during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. (AP Photo)

Reese finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals. She is the first player in WNBA history to record a double-double in each of her first three Finals games, the youngest player ever with three straight double-doubles in the Finals, and she joined A’ja Wilson as the only players to post 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive Finals games. She also went 2-for-2 from three-point range; Atlanta is 14-0 this season when Reese makes a three.

“Time to take over. Do whatever it takes to win,” Reese said. “Everybody was just playing together. It’s fun when you win and you play with a great group. So it makes my job super easy.”

Rhyne Howard added 16 points and five steals, becoming the first player in league history with five steals in consecutive Finals games. Naz Hillmon scored 15, Isobel Borlase added 12 off the bench, and Jordin Canada finished with 10 points and eight assists. Atlanta shot 49.3 percent from the field, hit nine three-pointers and owned the paint, 44-20.

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 15 points, Tiffany Hayes scored 14, and Janelle Salaün and Cecilia Zandalasini added 13 apiece. But the Valkyries shot just 34.8 percent and committed 17 turnovers, which Atlanta converted into 22 points. “Sometimes, promises aren’t kept,” Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said.

Game 4 is Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena, televised on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Atlanta, playing in its first Finals since 2013, is now two wins away from the first championship in franchise history.