Jodar edges Fils 7-6 6-3 to reach Montreal semifinals

Rafael Jodar came through a tight opening set and then pulled clear, beating Arthur Fils 7-6 6-3 in the Montreal quarterfinals. The Spaniard's control from the baseline of his own serve told the story: he landed 67.1 percent of first deliveries and won 72.5 percent of those points, while Fils found the court with only 57.9 percent of his firsts and won 65.9 percent behind them. Fils struck seven aces to Jodar's three, but the extra pressure of serving from second balls left him exposed once the tiebreak was gone. It was a statement result on hard courts for Jodar.