Spanish qualifier Rafael Jodar produced the biggest upset of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships so far, defeating fourth seed Alexander Zverev 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-3 in a gripping second-round contest on Wednesday. The 22-year-old, ranked 143rd in the world, secured his first career victory over a top-10 opponent after three hours and 41 minutes on Court 12.
Jodar’s resilience under pressure
Jodar showed remarkable composure, saving 12 of 15 break points he faced and firing 18 aces. He broke Zverev’s serve four times, including a decisive break in the eighth game of the final set. “I just believed in my game and stayed calm,” Jodar said. “To beat a player like Sascha on this stage is a dream come true.”
Zverev’s frustration grows
Zverev, a former world number two, struggled with inconsistency, committing 47 unforced errors and double-faulting seven times. The German expressed disappointment after the match. “I had my chances but didn’t take them. He played very well, especially in the big moments,” Zverev said. The loss is his earliest exit at Wimbledon since 2021.
Next opponent: Alex de Minaur
Jodar will face 10th seed Alex de Minaur in the third round. De Minaur advanced by defeating qualifier Luca Nardi 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 earlier on Wednesday. The Australian has won both previous meetings against Jodar, including a straight-sets victory at the 2025 Australian Open. However, Jodar remains confident. “I have nothing to lose. I’ll give everything and see what happens,” he said.
Impact on the draw
Zverev’s exit opens up the bottom half of the draw, with top seed Carlos Alcaraz and second seed Novak Djokovic on the opposite side. Jodar is the lowest-ranked player remaining in the quarter. The match drew a large crowd, with many neutrals cheering for the underdog. Jodar’s victory is the biggest by a Spanish qualifier at Wimbledon since Feliciano López reached the quarterfinals in 2005.
