World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his class on Wednesday by outlasting 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar in a 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) victory in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. The win not only secured his place in the semi-finals but also made him the sixth player in history to reach the last four of every single ATP Masters 1000 event.
From the first serve, Sinner imposed a disciplined rhythm. In the opening set he broke the home favourite twice, establishing a 5-2 lead that gave him the confidence to close the set with a powerful backhand winner.
Jodar, who had just captured his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier this month, showed flashes of brilliance but could not sustain the momentum against the seasoned Italian. The second set proved far more competitive. Jodar surged ahead to 4-2, threatening to turn the tide, but Sinner responded by saving two break points and leveling the score at 3-3. A double fault from Sinner later gave Jodar another chance to break, yet the world number one repelled three break points with a crisp cross‑court forehand and two backhand winners that skimmed the sideline.
Sinner then raced to a 40-15 advantage in the following game, only for Jodar to claw back three break points and take the game himself. The Italian, however, kept his composure, and when the set reached a tiebreak he dominated, winning it 7-0 with a forehand that Jodar could not reach. The decisive tiebreak underscored Sinner’s superior experience on clay and his relentless drive to add a second clay title to his season after his triumph in Monte‑Carlo. In post‑match comments to Sky Sports Tennis, Sinner praised his young 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 it would be difficult to beat him, especially here on these courts. He’s from Madrid, he knows exactly how to play in these conditions.
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 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 the winner of the other quarter‑final clash between France’s rising star Arthur Fils and Czech prospect Jiri Lehecka, a match scheduled for later on Wednesday. The day also produced a historic moment on the women’s side. Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the main draw as a lucky loser after losing in qualifying, became the first lucky loser ever to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final.
She achieved this feat by defeating former world number one Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in a dramatic encounter. Potapova’s run in Madrid has been nothing short of remarkable. After her qualifying defeat, she seized the unexpected main‑draw spot and proceeded to upset former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina, showcasing a blend of power, resilience, and tactical acumen. When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her earlier loss, the unseeded player 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 semi‑final match, Potapova fell behind 3-1 in the deciding set but rallied to win five consecutive games, sealing the victory with her tenth ace before collapsing to her knees in relief. Reflecting on the match, she admitted, "I had a few match points in the second set on 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 now face Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 to claim the other semi‑final berth. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round of the previous year’s Madrid Open, has been unbeaten on clay this season, setting up a compelling clash between two players who have both thrived on the red dirt.
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