World No. 1 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 victory not only propelled Sinner into the semi‑finals but also marked him as the sixth player in history to reach the semi‑final stage of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events, underscoring his consistency across the elite tier of men’s tennis. From the first serve, the 24‑year‑old Italian imposed a disciplined, aggressive game plan. He broke the home crowd favourite twice in the opening set, racing to a 5-2 lead.
A powerful backhand winner sealed the set, giving Sinner a comfortable 6-2 advantage. The Spaniard, who had captured his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier in the month, showed flashes of brilliance in the second set, even pushing ahead 4-2 at one point. However, Sinner’s experience shone through as he saved five break points, including a crucial one after a double fault from the Italian that briefly put Jodar on the brink of another break. Sinner responded with a series of precise strokes: a cross‑court forehand that forced Jodar into a defensive position, followed by two backhand winners that skimmed the sideline.
These points helped him level the set at 3-3 and later go up 40-15 in the next game. Although Jodar managed to save three break points to claim that game, the momentum had clearly shifted.
The Italian continued to press, and when the set reached a tiebreak, Sinner dominated, racing to a 7-0 clean sweep. He closed the match with a forehand that Jodar could not reach, sealing a 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) win and a place in the semi‑finals. Looking ahead, Sinner will meet either France’s rising star Arthur Fils or the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka, who are scheduled to play later on Wednesday. In a post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Sinner praised his opponent, saying, "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 beating him here would be difficult, especially given his familiarity with the conditions." He added that his own performance improved as the match progressed: "I gained a bit more experience in the second set, got a little 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 game a bit, play a little faster, and that helped me." The tournament 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 No.
1 Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in a thrilling three‑set encounter. Potapova’s run in Madrid has been nothing short of remarkable. After her qualifying defeat, she seized the unexpected main‑draw opportunity and proceeded to upset former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her early loss, the unseeded player responded, "No, I wouldn’t have thought that 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, Potapova will face Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 to claim her own spot. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round of the previous year’s Madrid Open, enters the match unbeaten on clay this season. Both the ATP and WTA events at the Madrid Open continue to attract global attention, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming via NOW and the Sky Sports app.
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Overall, the Madrid Open has once again delivered high‑quality tennis, showcasing the depth of talent on both the men’s and women’s tours. Sinner’s march toward a potential second clay title of the season, following his Monte‑Carlo Masters triumph, and Potapova’s inspirational breakthrough as a lucky loser, underscore the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the sport. As the semi‑finals approach, spectators can anticipate more intense battles, strategic adjustments, and moments that will shape the narratives of the remainder of the tournament.