Jiri Lehecka vs Rafael Jodar Prediction Shanghai Rolex Masters - Shanghai · Oct 12, 2026

Analysis

Lehecka walks into this third round in genuinely good rhythm: he came through Nuno Borges 2-1 on 10 October after straight-sets wins over Valentin Vacherot and Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, and his only recent defeat was a 0-2 to Carlos Alcaraz. That profile — flat, early-strike groundstrokes behind a heavy serve — is exactly what a quick Shanghai hard court rewards, and the Czech rarely gives away free points on serve. Jodar has absolutely earned his place here, grinding past Thiago Agustin Tirante 2-1 and winning in straight sets against Alexander Bublik and Cristian Garin, so the young Spaniard has weapons and the belief to use them. The warning sign is his 0-2 loss to Vallejo, a player Lehecka dismissed without dropping a set, which hints at the gap in week-to-week consistency at this level. Expect Jodar to compete hard and create a few break looks, but Lehecka's serve-plus-forehand pattern should decide the big points. A straight-sets win for the Czech is the most likely route, with a tight opener the main risk to that line.