Rafael Jodar and Alejandro Tabilo will be squaring off for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they battle for a place in the final of the Mubadala DC Open on Saturday night.
Their only previous meeting came at the Indian Wells Masters, where Tabilo cruised 6-1, 6-2.
You have to think that a much different Jodar will be on display this time around. The 19-year-old Spaniard was outside the top 100 when he took the court in Indian Wells. Less than five months later, Jodar will find himself in the top 20 on Monday regardless of Saturday’s result. Jodar’s surge up the rankings includes a title in Marrakech and quarterfinal performances in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros. The world No. 24 has continued his fine form with victories this week over Arthur Fils, Kei Nishikori, and Lorenzo Musetti.
Tabilo’s appearance in the semis is more surprising. The 30th-ranked Chilean had been 1-6 in his last seven matches prior to arriving in D.C., but he has turned things around with defeats of Tallon Griekspoor, Terence Atmane, and Ben Shelton. It hasn’t been easy, as Tabilo required three sets against Griekspoor and Shelton in addition to beating Atmane 6-3, 7-6(6).
With Jodar in superior form and enjoying plenty of crowd support as a University of Virginia product, he should be able to avenge is Miami loss in convincing fashion.
Pick: Jodar in 2
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jodar in a very tough 3.