Barcelona Open 2026 Semi-Final Preview | Rublev vs Medjedovic, Jodar vs Fils & Saturday Predictions

✅ Results (18 April 2026): Rublev beat Medjedovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 | Fils beat Jodar 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Final: Rublev vs Fils on Sunday 19 April at 15:00 BST. → Read the final preview.

Two compelling semi-finals are set for Friday 18 April on Pista Rafa Nadal at the 2026 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Andrey Rublev faces Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic at 13:30 in a match between two players who have been Barcelona’s most consistent performers this week. Then, at 16:00, Spanish wildcard Rafael Jodar — the tournament’s breakthrough story — takes on ninth seed Arthur Fils of France in a match that will decide who gets to play in front of the home crowd on Sunday’s final.

It has been a Barcelona to remember. Alcaraz’s early withdrawal with a wrist injury — his participation at the French Open now uncertain — removed the marquee name, but the draw has delivered two captivating storylines in the 18-year-old Jodar and the qualifier Medjedovic. Both matches are free from heavy favourites. For tournament context and earlier results, see our Barcelona Open 2026 R16 preview.

Semi-Final Schedule

Paths to the semi-finals

[5] Rublev vs Medjedovic: Clay redemption meets the qualifier

Andrey Rublev has been the most consistent player in the draw since Alcaraz’s withdrawal. The Russian — competing under a neutral flag — has not dropped a set in Barcelona, beating Mariano Navone in the first round before dismantling Lorenzo Sonego 6-2, 6-3 in the round of 16 and seeing off Tomas Machac 6-4, 6-3 in the quarter-finals. The 81-minute win over Machac, a player who advanced via the Alcaraz walkover, was a statement: Rublev’s heavy baseline striking and consistent first serve have been at their best all week.

His opponent, Hamad Medjedovic, is one of the stories of the tournament. The Serbian, ranked No. 88 in the world and in the draw via qualifying, pulled off the biggest upset of the week in the round of 16 — beating third seed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 with a composed, aggressive performance that showcased his powerful all-court game. On clay in 2026, Medjedovic came in with a 9-1 record before Barcelona. He is not a wildcard in the casual sense — he is a genuine threat.

This is still Rublev’s match to win. He has more experience, more clay pedigree, and momentum from three straight-sets wins. But Medjedovic is not here by accident, and a player who beat the third seed in R16 without flinching will not feel overwhelmed by a Rublev semi-final.

Prediction: Rublev in three sets. Medjedovic will compete and likely take a set, but Rublev’s experience in big clay matches should see him through.

Jodar vs [9] Fils: The fairytale vs French No. 1

Rafael Jodar arrived in Barcelona as a wildcard ranked outside the top 400. He will leave it as a semi-finalist, and possibly more. The 18-year-old Spaniard has won eight matches in a row coming into this semi-final, and each win has been more convincing than the last. He demolished Jaume Munar 6-1, 6-2 in his opener, dispatched Ugo Carabelli in the round of 16, and then — in the quarter-finals — beat seventh seed Cameron Norrie 6-3, 6-2 in just 64 minutes, striking 21 winners to Norrie’s eight. That was not an upset. That was dominance.

The historical company Jodar now keeps is worth noting. He is only the fifth Spanish teenager in the Open Era to reach the Barcelona semi-finals, joining Alex Corretja (1994), Carlos Moya (1996), Rafael Nadal (2005, 2006) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022, 2023). Playing on Pista Rafa Nadal — the showpiece court named after a man who won this tournament twelve times — in front of a home crowd who are now fully invested in his run.

Arthur Fils is a different kind of test. The French ninth seed had to dig deep to get here — saving two match points in a first-round thriller against Terence Atmane before finding a higher gear, beating Brandon Nakashima 6-2, 6-3 in the round of 16 and then eliminating second seed Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals. Fils, born in 2003, is one of the NextGen’s most compelling players: explosive off both wings, dangerous in heavy baseline exchanges, and capable of pushing any opponent on clay.

Jodar’s ranking means he enters with none of the weight of expectation Fils carries. On the other hand, Fils will have seen nothing in his career quite like playing against an 18-year-old wildcard in front of 10,000 partisan Spanish supporters on home clay. If Jodar plays anything close to his quarter-final level, this match could be extraordinary.

Prediction: Fils in three sets — but do not rule out the upset. Jodar’s clay movement and baseline consistency are good enough to win this match. The crowd factor is real. Call it 55/45 to Fils.

Projected final

If the predictions land: Rublev vs Fils would be a high-quality final between two aggressive baseliners in their mid-twenties. But the Jodar storyline has a momentum of its own — and if the 18-year-old reaches Sunday’s final, it will be one of the more extraordinary results in recent ATP 500 history.

How to watch the Barcelona Open semi-finals live

Both semi-finals are live on Sky Sports Tennis and NOW TV in the UK. Live streaming is also available through Bet365 to account holders with a funded account or a bet placed in the last 24 hours. The final is set — read our Barcelona Open 2026 final preview. With Madrid beginning on 29 April, this is your last chance to watch premium clay-court tennis before the biggest claycourt Masters of the year — see our Madrid Open 2026 preview and Madrid betting tips for what is coming next.

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FAQs

When are the Barcelona Open 2026 semi-finals?

Both semi-finals take place on Friday 18 April 2026 on Pista Rafa Nadal. Rublev vs Medjedovic starts at 13:30 BST, followed by Jodar vs Fils at 16:00 BST.

Who is Rafael Jodar?

Rafael Jodar is an 18-year-old Spanish wildcard ranked outside the ATP top 400. He has beaten Cameron Norrie [7], Ugo Carabelli, and Jaume Munar to reach the semi-finals — one of the most unexpected runs at an ATP 500 event in years. He is only the fifth Spanish teenager in the Open Era to reach the Barcelona semi-finals, joining Corretja, Moya, Nadal and Alcaraz.

What happened to Alcaraz at Barcelona?

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew before his round of 16 match with a right wrist injury sustained after his first-round win over Virtanen. His participation at the French Open is now in doubt. See our R16 article for full details.

Who is the favourite to win Barcelona 2026?

Andrey Rublev [5] is the highest remaining seed and has been the most consistent player in the draw without dropping a set. However, the Jodar fairytale has given this tournament an unpredictable quality — and Fils has the power to beat anyone in a SF on a good day.