World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his composure and skill on Wednesday by defeating 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar with a scoreline of 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. This 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. The Italian champion faced a formidable challenge from the young Spaniard, who had entered the tournament as a wildcard after a recent breakthrough win in Morocco. Jodar showed flashes of brilliance, especially in the second set, where he threatened to surge ahead 4-2.
However, Sinner’s experience on clay and his tactical acumen allowed him to weather the storm. He saved five break points in the second set and then went on a remarkable run of eleven consecutive points, sealing the match and the win. In the opening set, Sinner imposed a disciplined rhythm, breaking Jodar twice to build a comfortable 5-2 lead. He then closed out the set with a powerful backhand winner that left no doubt about his intent.
Jodar, refusing to be intimidated, fought back in the second set and managed to level the score at 3-3 after saving two break points of his own. A double fault from Sinner gave Jodar a chance to break, but the Italian responded with a series of aggressive cross‑court forehands and precise backhand winners that brushed the sidelines, ultimately saving three more break points. The momentum swung back and forth, with Sinner eventually taking a 40-15 advantage in the next game.
Jodar, displaying resilience, saved three break points before finally securing the game. As the set progressed, Sinner, who is chasing his second clay title of the season after a triumph at the Monte‑Carlo Masters, elevated his level in the tiebreak. He dominated the tiebreak, finishing it with a forehand that Jodar could not reach, and clinched the match.
Speaking to Sky Sports Tennis after the win, Sinner praised his opponent: "He's an incredible player, Spain has another fantastic 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 on these conditions.
He's from here, he knows exactly how to play in this environment. 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." Sinner's next opponent in the semi‑finals will be determined by the outcome of the match between Arthur Fils and Jiri Lehecka later on Wednesday. In the women's draw, Anastasia Potapova created history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. After falling in the qualifying rounds, Potapova entered the main draw and stunned former world number one Karolina Pliskova with a 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 victory.
Her run in Madrid has been remarkable, featuring wins over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina. When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Russian‑born Austrian 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." Potapova displayed nerves of steel in the deciding set, overturning a 3-1 deficit by winning five straight games and sealing the match with her tenth ace before collapsing to her knees in relief. She reflected on missed opportunities, saying, "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 it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep using them." In the semi‑finals, Potapova will face Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who advanced after a dominant 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 win over Linda Noskova. Kostyuk, who defeated Potapova in the fourth round of the previous year's Madrid Open, has been unbeaten on clay this season.
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