World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his class on Wednesday by edging out 19‑year‑old wildcard Rafael Jodar with 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 semi‑final stage of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. From the first serve, Sinner displayed a composed and disciplined game plan.
In the opening set he broke the home favourite twice, racing to a 5-2 lead before sealing the set with a powerful backhand winner that left Jodar scrambling. The Spaniard, who had captured his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier this month, showed flashes of brilliance, especially in the second set where he surged ahead 4-2, threatening to overturn the Italian's early dominance. Sinner, however, remained unfazed. He saved two break points to level the score at 3-3 and then fended off a further three break chances with a combination of a crisp cross‑court forehand and two razor‑sharp backhand winners that skimmed the sideline.
At one juncture Sinner surged to a 40-15 advantage, only for Jodar to claw back three break points and take the game, underscoring the tight nature of the contest. The Italian’s resilience paid off in the tie‑break. After a series of long rallies, Sinner seized control, piling up points and ultimately dominating the breaker to close it out 7-0.
His forehand on the final point was untouchable, sealing a victory that kept his momentum rolling after his recent triumph at the Monte‑Carlo Masters, where he claimed his second clay‑court title of the season. Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the match, Sinner praised his opponent’s abilities and the significance of the encounter. "He’s an incredible player, and Spain has another amazing talent on the rise. It was a tough challenge – I knew before the match that it would be difficult to beat him, especially on these courts," Sinner said.
He added that playing in his opponent’s backyard gave Jodar a natural comfort with the conditions, but noted that his own experience in the second set and a touch of luck helped him maintain a high level throughout. "I’m happy with how I finished the match.
I tried to raise my intensity a bit, play a little faster, and that made the difference," he concluded. While Sinner prepares for a semi‑final clash that will feature either France’s rising star Arthur Fils or Czech hopeful Jiri Lehecka, the tournament also delivered a historic moment on the women’s side. Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the main draw as a lucky loser after falling 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 thrilling encounter.
Potapova’s run has been nothing short of spectacular. After qualifying disappointment, she seized her second‑chance entry and proceeded to upset former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina, showcasing a blend of power, precision, and mental fortitude.
When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, Potapova responded, "No, I wouldn’t have believed it for any amount of money. That’s what makes our sport beautiful – you get a second chance and you make the most of it. I’m overjoyed; there’s nothing better happening to me right now." In the semi‑final, Potapova will meet Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 6-0. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the previous year’s fourth round in Madrid, has been unbeaten on clay this season, setting up a compelling storyline for the next round.
Both the ATP and WTA events continue to draw massive audiences, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming through NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers over 50% more live sport at no extra cost. Fans can follow the ongoing drama, track scores, watch highlights, and enjoy in‑depth analysis as the Madrid Open progresses toward its climax.