World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his composure and skill on Wednesday by defeating 19‑year‑old wild‑card entrant Rafael Jodar 6‑2, 7‑6 (7‑0) in the quarter‑finals of the Madrid Open. The win not only secured Sinner’s place in the semi‑finals but also made him the sixth player in the Open Era to reach the semi‑final stage of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. From the first serve, the 24‑year‑old Italian imposed a disciplined, aggressive game plan.
In the opening set he broke Jodar twice, establishing a 5‑2 lead that gave him a comfortable cushion. A powerful backhand winner at 5‑2 sealed the set, leaving the Spanish teenager with a single break to chase. Sinner’s ability to maintain a high first‑serve percentage and to dictate play with his forehand kept Jodar on the defensive throughout.
The second set proved far more competitive. Jodar, who had just captured his maiden tour title in Morocco, surged ahead to 4‑2, displaying a fearless approach and a willingness to attack Sinner’s serve. The Italian, however, displayed remarkable resilience, saving two break points to bring the score back to 3‑3. A double fault from Sinner gave Jodar another opportunity, but Sinner responded with a crisp cross‑court forehand and two precise backhand winners that clipped the sideline, forcing Jodar into a defensive scramble.
At 5‑4, Sinner surged ahead with a 40‑15 advantage, yet Jodar saved three break points before finally breaking back to level the set at 5‑5. The tension escalated as both players traded powerful groundstrokes, each trying to seize the momentum. Sinner, drawing on his recent success at the Monte‑Carlo Masters where he claimed his second clay title of the season, elevated his intensity in the tie‑break.
He dominated the mini‑set, unleashing a forehand that Jodar could not reach, and closed the match with a 7‑0 bagel in the tie‑break. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Sinner praised his opponent: "He's an incredible player, Spain has another amazing talent and it’s great for the sport.
It was a tough challenge. I knew before the match that it would be very difficult to beat him, especially here on this surface.
He’s from Madrid, he knows exactly how to play in these conditions. At the same time, I gained a little more experience in the second set, got a bit lucky at times, but I tried to keep the level as high as I could.
I'm happy with how I ended the match. I tried to level up a little bit, trying to go a little bit faster and this helped me." Sinner’s next opponent will be determined later on Wednesday when Arthur Fils faces Jiri Lehecka.
Either way, the Italian will be looking to add another Masters 1000 title to his résumé and continue his pursuit of a second clay‑court trophy this season. In the women’s draw, Anastasia Potapova made history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. After falling in the qualifying rounds, the Russian‑born Austrian seized her unexpected main‑draw spot and stunned former world number one Karolina Pliskova with a 6‑1, 6‑7 (4‑7), 6‑3 victory.
Potapova’s run has been remarkable, featuring wins over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina. When asked if she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, Potapova replied, "No, I wouldn’t, for any money and anything.
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." The final set against Pliskova was a roller‑coaster.
Potapova trailed 3‑1 before launching a five‑game streak, culminating in a decisive ace that sent her opponent to the floor. Reflecting on the match, she admitted, "I was given a few match points in the second set on serve. I couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that.
But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep using them." Potapova will meet Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the semi‑finals after Kostyuk dispatched Linda Noskova 7‑6 (7‑1), 6‑0. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round last year, has been unbeaten on clay this season and will be a formidable obstacle. Both the ATP and WTA events in Madrid continue to attract global attention, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming through NOW and the Sky Sports app. Fans can enjoy over 50 percent more live sport this year at no extra cost, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation as a premier showcase of tennis excellence.