Jódar Halts From the Zandschulp Run in Shanghai
Botic van de Zandschulp saw his run at the Rolex Shanghai Masters come to an end on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, falling in the fourth round to Spanish rising star Rafael Jódar. The top Dutch tennis player won the opening set in a tiebreak before dropping the next two sets, losing 7-6 (4), 4-6, 2-6 at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center, nos.nl reported. Bookmakers had installed Jódar as the favorite at 1.50 odds compared to 2.62 for Van de Zandschulp, Bet Experts reported.
First-Set Battle Gives Way to Spanish Momentum
Van de Zandschulp entered the fourth-round clash following victories over Daniel Merida, Alex Michelsen, and Arthur Fils, nos.nl reported.
The first set went entirely on serve as both players, facing each other for the first time, held comfortably. Trailing 4-3, Van de Zandschulp erased two break points before forcing a tiebreak. He wiped out a 2-1 deficit, secured a 5-3 lead with a drop shot, and converted his second set point to claim the opener.
The momentum shifted immediately in the second set. Jódar broke Van de Zandschulp in the opening game, though the Spanish teenager received a warning from the umpire for grumbling, nos.nl reported. Van de Zandschulp broke back to level at 3-3 following a video review, but surrendered his serve again through loose play. Jódar eventually secured the set 6-4 on his sixth set point, according to rtl.nl.
Unforced Errors Cost Van de Zandschulp in Decider
Van de Zandschulp accumulated 47 unforced errors across the match, nos.nl noted. A subsequent break of serve at 4-2 allowed Jódar to comfortably serve out the match.
Financial and Rankings Fallout at Masters 1000
Despite the fourth-round exit, Van de Zandschulp earned $105,720 (approximately €90,900) and 100 ATP ranking points for his performance at the ATP Masters 1000 event, Bet Experts reported. A victory would have earned him $193,645 (approximately €166,500), 200 ranking points, and his first career quarterfinal appearance at a Masters 1000 tournament, according to Bet Experts.
Quarterfinal Horizon and Open Questions
What was the final score of the fourth-round match in Shanghai?
Rafael Jódar defeated Botic van de Zandschulp 6-7 (4), 6-4, 2-6 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Rolex Shanghai Masters, nos.nl and rtl.nl reported.
How much prize money did Botic van de Zandschulp earn in Shanghai?
Van de Zandschulp collected $105,720 (about €90,900) and 100 ATP points for reaching the fourth round, Bet Experts reported.
Who does Rafael Jódar face next in the tournament?
Jódar advances to the quarterfinals to play the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Félix Auger-Aliassime, nos.nl reported.
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