Rafa Jódar rallies past Carreño in two-day Wimbledon epic, books third-round spot
The 19-year-old Spaniard overturned a 2-1 set deficit overnight to defeat Pablo Carreño 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, reaching the Wimbledon third round for the first time.
Suspension under the lights
The second-round match began on Wednesday but was halted by darkness with Carreño leading 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 and 2-1 in the fourth set. The veteran, 34, had controlled the tempo, punishing Jódar's second serves and forcing repeated errors on the low-bouncing grass. Jódar, who slipped several times including one fall that required treatment on his left ankle, left the court in pain and with elimination looming.
Sabíamos que el partido empezaba tarde y la posibilidad de que se aplazara era alta. Al final lo tienes que aceptar.
Comeback completed
When play resumed on Thursday, the dynamic flipped. Jódar found a more aggressive rhythm, improved his second-serve win rate to 46% in the decisive sets, and broke Carreño twice in a 45-minute fifth set. Carreño, whose own serve weakened, could not reproduce the form of the opening day. After 3 hours and 43 minutes, Jódar sealed a 3-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.
- Match begins. Carreño takes first set 6-3, Jódar responds 6-3, then Carreño dominates third set 6-1.
- Darkness halts play with Carreño up 2-1 in the fourth set and Jódar needing medical treatment for an ankle issue.
- Resumption. Jódar wins the fourth set 6-3 after a more aggressive, consistent performance.
- Jódar breaks twice in the fifth set, closing out the match 6-4 in 45 minutes and prevailing after 3h 43m of play.
Creía que podía remontar y ganar el cuarto set y luego el quinto. Eso fue lo que pasó.
What's next
Jódar advances to face Japanese qualifier Shintaro Mochizuki on Friday, 3 July, on Court 18. The 23-year-old Mochizuki, ranked 151, came through qualifying and has never won an ATP match this season before Wimbledon. He was the 2019 junior champion at the All England Club, where he beat Carlos Gimeno in the final. Despite his modest ranking, Mochizuki's fast feet and surprise serve-and-volley tactics make him a tricky grass-court opponent.
Rapid ascent
Jódar began 2026 as the world number 168 and surged to a career-high 23 inside six months, fuelled by his maiden ATP title in Marrakech. He missed the Queen's and Eastbourne grass warm-ups with an abdominal injury, making this his first professional tournament on grass. The result also makes him the third Spanish man under 20 to reach the Wimbledon third round, joining Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz.
Mental strength
Jódar now has a perfect 4-0 record in five-set matches this season, including another comeback from two sets down against Carreño at Roland Garros. He attributed the turnaround to years of psychological training.
La parte mental es muy importante en este deporte. Intento tener siempre la mejor mentalidad posible y aceptar las situaciones que se presentan.
