Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jodar will be facing each other for the second time in their careers and for the second time this season when they battle for the Mubadala DC Open title on Sunday afternoon.
It is a rematch of Fritz’s opening match in Delray Beach, where he defeated Jodar 7-6(4), 6-4.
Fast forward a little bit more than five months and Jodar has climbed from outside the top 100 to No. 24 in the world. In fact, Jodar will find himself in the top 15 on Monday even if he loses this match and he will be No. 12 if he wins. The 19-year-old Spaniard is bidding for his second ATP title after lifting the Marrakech trophy in April, and his 2026 campaign also includes quarterfinal efforts in Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros. Jodar has advanced this week with wins over Arthur Fils, Kei Nishikori, Lorenzo Musetti, and Alejandro Tabilo.
It is safe to say that Fritz took the scenic route to his fourth ATP final of 2026. The 10th-ranked American cruised past Zizou Bergs and Kamil Majchrzak without any trouble, but he had to save a match point during a 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(6) quarterfinal thriller against Alex Michelsen. Fritz followed that up with another close call against a compatriot, beating Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 on Saturday evening.
The 28-year-old insists that his knee tendinitis is not currently an issue, but he received treatment multiple times on Friday and admitted that he briefly felt it again on Saturday. Regardless, six sets of hard-court tennis in the span of two days is not ideal when a knee issue could be present.
Jodar has looked like the best player in D.C. all week long — and even though Fritz has home-court advantage as an American, the University of Virginia contingent will surely be out in force for Jodar. Fritz’s 0-3 record in finals this season could be on his mind, as well. Don’t be surprised if a minor upset is in the cards.
Pick: Jodar in 3
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This is going to be fascinating and if I had to bet my money would be on the young Spanish bloke for this repeat encounter.
Of course, on a good day Fritz can win this too. And both are getting silverware.
I heard Seb Korda has had back surgery. Wondered where he was. Such good matches earlier this year.
Fritz in 3.
‘ Don’t be surprised if a minor upset is in the cards.’
Good way of saying i dont know…