Jodar began the year ranked No. 165. With his win over the Frenchman, he moved up to No. 11 in the live rankings. By reaching his fourth ATP Tour semi-final of the year (after Marrakech, Barcelona and Washington), Jodar maintained his push for a stunning surge into the Top 10 of the ATP Rankings. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
He could climb as high as No. 9 by lifting the title in Canada, depending on other results.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Following a two-game swing to begin, Jodar saved a break point, then broke for 2-0 \u2014 he put constant pressure on Fils with his returns and impeccable baseline play. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fils fended off two break points at 0-3, then three more at 1-4. The momentum was changing and Fils began the seventh game by outlasting Jodar in a 28-shot rally. Another extended rally saw both lash crosscourt forehands, before Fils prevailed again.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Back on serve and serving at 4-5, 30-0, the rain came at the wrong time for Fils. After a roughly one hour pause, Fils managed to hold for 5-5 once play resumed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the interruption, the rallies continued to excite. Jodar began the 11th game by capping a 25-shot lung buster rally with a volley winner. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Fils, a supreme mover, was indeed making the 6-foot-3 Spaniard work hard for every point. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The only mini-break of the tiebreak came when Jodar ripped a backhand down the line. Against most, he would have won the point immediately. But Fils got his forehand swipe back in play, only for Jodar to summon up a perfect drop shot for 2-1. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
Another drop shot earned him a break for 2-1 in the second set, prompting Fils to take out his frustrations on his racquet. He got back on serve but Jodar replied for 4-3. With Jodar up at the net, Fils gave Jodar an opportunity to put away a volley, which he took. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The only mini-break of the tiebreak came when Jodar ripped a backhand down the line. Against most, he would have won the point immediately. But Fils got his forehand swipe back in play, only for Jodar to summon up a perfect drop shot for 2-1. <\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Spaniard will face Brandon Nakashima in the semifinals. The American started play on Centre Court by topping Italy\u2019s Luciano Darderi, 6-2, 6-3.<\/p>\r\n\r\n