Anastasia Potapova has become the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1,000 semi-final after her victory over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open.
The Russian-born Austrian lost in qualifying last week. However, she was given a place in the main draw when another player pulled out.
Potapova secured a 6-1 6-7 (7-4) 6-3 win over former world number one Pliskova in the last eight, continuing her run in the Spanish capital.
Potapova’s Unexpected Journey
Potapova, 25, had already beaten former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina.
“No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything,” said Potapova when asked if she thought a semi-final appearance was possible after her qualifying loss.
“That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I’m here.
“I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment.”
Match Against Pliskova
Potapova looked set for a comfortable victory after taking the first set in just 24 minutes before securing three match points in the second.
However, Pliskova fought back to force a tiebreak and then level the match. She also took a 3-1 lead in the deciding set.
Potapova responded by reeling off five consecutive games and sealed victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her knees.
Semi-Final Showdown
She will face 26th seed Marta Kostyuk in the semi-finals. Kostyuk beat Czech 13th seed Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1) 6-0.
Sinner Advances in Men’s Tournament
Meanwhile, in the men’s tournament, world number one Jannik Sinner is through to the Madrid semi-finals for the first time.
The Italian beat 19-year-old home favourite Rafael Jodar 6-2 7-6 (7-0) in just shy of two hours.
He is bidding for his fifth ATP Masters 1,000 title in a row, having won in Paris late last year and already secured the Indian Wells, Miami Open and Monte Carlo titles in 2026.
But the four-time Grand Slam champion was made to work in the quarter-final as Madrid-born Jodar showed why there are such high hopes for what he can achieve in the coming years, going toe-to-toe with Sinner in the second set.
“Tough challenge, I knew before the match that he was going to be very tough to beat, especially here, he’s from here and he knows exactly how to play in these conditions,” Sinner told Sky Sports.
Sinner quickly took control, saving a break point when 2-1 down before reeling off five straight games to win the first set.
The second was much more closely contested though, with Jodar earning break points at 3-2 and 4-3. But each time Sinner held firm.
Jodar saved three break points himself to hold and go up 5-4 and held serve again to ensure at least a tiebreak.
But Sinner showed his class, swiftly holding to love before putting on a masterclass in the brea
Jannik Sinner’s previous best at the Madrid Open was a run to the quarter-finals in 2024.