World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his class in Madrid on Wednesday, fending off a spirited challenge from 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar to clinch a 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) victory in the quarter‑finals. The win not only secured his place in the next round but also made him the sixth player in history 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 rhythm. He broke the home favourite twice in the opening set, racing to a 5-2 lead before sealing the set with a blistering backhand winner that left the crowd in awe. Sinner’s composure was evident as he held serve comfortably, converting his chances and keeping the pressure on Jodar throughout.
The Spanish teenager, who had captured his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier this month, showed flashes of brilliance in the second set. He surged ahead to 4-2, threatening to overturn the deficit and force a deciding set. However, Sinner displayed resilience, saving two break points to level the score at 3-3. A double fault from the Italian momentarily gave Jodar a golden opportunity, but Sinner responded with a powerful cross‑court forehand and two razor‑sharp backhand winners that skimmed the sideline, denying the Spaniard the break.
The momentum swung back and forth. Sinner raced to a 40-15 advantage in the following game, yet Jodar fought back, saving three break points before finally breaking his opponent’s serve. The young wildcard’s tenacity kept the set tight, but Sinner’s experience on clay shone through. He began to dictate play, using his superior footwork and depth to force errors from Jodar.
As the set progressed, Sinner’s confidence grew. He built a small lead and, with each point, increased the intensity of his forehand and backhand strokes. When the tie‑break arrived, the Italian masterfully dominated, racing ahead to a 7-0 clean sweep. A final forehand down the line, out of Jodar’s reach, sealed the match and sent Sinner into the semi‑finals.
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the win, Sinner praised his opponent: "He’s an incredible player, Spain has another outstanding talent and it’s great for the sport. It was a tough challenge – I knew before the match that beating him would be difficult, especially here on these courts.
He knows the conditions perfectly. I managed to gain a bit more experience in the second set, got a little lucky at times, but I tried to keep my level as high as possible. I’m happy with how I finished the match. I tried to raise my intensity a bit, play a little faster, and that helped me." Sinner’s next opponent will be determined later on Wednesday when Arthur Fils meets Jiri Lehecka.
Both players have shown strong form, and the semi‑final promises to be a compelling contest. In the women’s draw, another historic moment unfolded.
Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the Madrid Open as a lucky loser after losing in the qualifying rounds, became the first lucky loser ever to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. She achieved this milestone by defeating former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in a roller‑coaster encounter. Potapova’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable.
After falling short in qualifying, she was offered a spot in the main draw and seized the opportunity with gusto. She has already dispatched former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, showcasing a blend of power and tactical acumen that belies her ranking. When asked whether she ever imagined reaching the last four after her qualifying loss, Potapova replied, "No, I wouldn’t have believed it for any amount of money.
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 right now." In the deciding set against Pliskova, Potapova fell behind 3-1 but rallied spectacularly, winning five straight games to clinch the match. She capped the victory with her tenth ace of the tournament before collapsing to her knees in relief. Reflecting on the win, she said, "I had a few match points in the second set on my serve. I couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that, but this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep using them." Potapova will face 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, remains unbeaten on clay this season, setting up a compelling clash of contrasting styles. Both the ATP and WTA events in Madrid continue to draw 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, making the tournament accessible to a wider audience. The Madrid Open remains a pivotal stop on the clay‑court swing, offering players the chance to fine‑tune their games ahead of the French Open and to etch their names into the sport’s history.