History repeating? Rafa 2.0 storms into Roland-Garros quarter-finals in debut run

The legendary Rafael Nadal famously won the first of his record 14 Roland-Garros titles at his maiden attempt at the claycourt major as a teenager in 2005. History could be repeating itself 21 years on.

Nadal’s 19-year-old countryman – and namesake – Rafael Jodar became the fifth man this century to reach the quarter-finals in Paris on his main draw debut on Sunday (Paris time), joining Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero (2000), Martin Verkerk (2003), Jannik Sinner (2020) and Holger Rune (2022).

Jodar, who was ranked No.707 at this time last year, did so by winning a second straight five-setter, outlasting another Spaniard, Pablo Carreno Busta, 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in three hours and 41 minutes.

A shoulder issue plagued former world No.10 Carreno Busta throughout the final sets, but should not take away from Jodar’s achievement, which he celebrated vigorously after embracing his veteran compatriot at the net.

“It’s different [playing in major tournaments, in front of big crowds], but I’m the same person. I’ll always be the same person, always very, very humble – but I appreciate all the people who came to support me today.”

This victory followed the teenage sensation rallying from two-sets-to-one down against American Alex Michelsen a round earlier.

Jodar experienced his first off-court adversity in the lead-up based on a misleading viral clip that initially, and incorrectly, made it look like he shoved a young ballgirl during the Michelsen match before an alternative camera angle emerged.

Nadal, too, was 19 years old when he triumphed in 2005, beating Roger Federer in the semi-finals before a four-set win over Argentine Mariano Puerta.

This year’s Roland-Garros championship will crown a first-time grand slam champion after a string of upsets and extraordinary drama in the opening week, including the eliminations of both world No.1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time major winner Novak Djokovic.

The defending champion, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, did not even start the tournament because of a serious wrist injury.

Jodar began this claycourt swing by winning a Challenger event in Morocco in late March before reaching the Barcelona semi-finals, Madrid quarter-finals – where he took it up to Sinner – and the same stage in Rome.

He has won more matches on the red dirt than any other man this year, putting together a 19-3 win-loss record, and provisionally climbing to No.22 in the live ATP rankings.

Jodar’s greatest challenge this fortnight is about to come against third-ranked German Alexander Zverev, a three-time major finalist who is the new tournament favourite