Rafael Jodar saves 4 MPs to defeat top seed Learn Tien in Next Generation ATP Finals thriller | ATP Tour

Next Generation ATP Finals

Jordahl saves 4 MPs, beats top seeds in Jeddah thriller

Landaluce vs. Budkov Kjaer will end the first night of action

December 17, 2025

Rafael Jodar ensured there would be no shortage of drama in his debut at the PIF Next Generation ATP Finals in Jeddah on Wednesday night.

The world No. 168 bravely defeated top seed and tournament favorite Tian Jian 1-4, 4-3(3), 1-4, 4-2, 4-3(4) in front of an energetic crowd, saving four match points. Jordal, who was a hitting partner in Jeddah last year, was in fine form, using his fearless aggression to seal a two-hour victory late in the fifth set.

JORDAL CELEBRATION 🎉 #NextGenATP finals pic.twitter.com/RiAFMLmyrJ

— NextGen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 17, 2025

“It’s a battle,” Jordahl said. “I knew the conditions were favorable for both sides, but I handled these good moments well and I’m really happy to get that first win in Jeddah. I just tried to keep going and believe in myself. Learners always play well, so I have to keep believing and I know I’m going to have a chance.”

Tien, ranked 28th in the world and the only player ranked in the top 100, made 23 unforced errors in the second and fourth sets to return for Jordal in their first Lexus ATP meeting. But the 19-year-old Spaniard will win all the praise for the way he fended off match points – including a backhand baseline winner in the fourth game.

After going 1-0 in the blue group, seventh seed Jordal can now look forward to meeting two debutants, Martin Landalus and Nikolai Budkov Kjaer, in the round-robin stage.