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Lehecka Aims to Turn Tables on Jodar in Shanghai Masters
12 Oct
Summary
- Jodar and Lehecka both won their previous matches in three sets.
- Lehecka reached the Japan Open final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
- Jodar leads their head-to-head series 1-0 with a prior straight-sets win.
In the third round of the 2026 Shanghai Masters, 12th seed Rafael Jodar is set to compete against 22nd seed Jiri Lehecka. Both players navigated challenging second-round matches, requiring three sets to secure their victories. Jodar demonstrated resilience by coming back from a set down against Thiago Agustin Tirante, while Lehecka also recovered after dropping a set against Nuno Borges.
This match marks a rematch between the two players, with Jodar having won their previous encounter in straight sets at the Canadian Open in August. Lehecka enters this contest with momentum from reaching the final of the Japan Open, where he was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz. Jodar, a 20-year-old enjoying a breakthrough season, has secured his maiden ATP title in Marrakech and reached the Roland Garros quarterfinals.
Experts predict a close contest, with Lehecka's aggressive first-strike tennis posing a significant challenge. However, Jodar's ability to absorb pace and his previous head-to-head success could prove pivotal. The match is expected to feature lengthy rallies and will likely be decided by Lehecka's ability to maintain his aggressive play without compromising defensive stability.
