World No. 1 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 Madrid Open quarter‑finals.
The win not only propelled Sinner into the semi‑finals but also made him the sixth player in history to reach the last four of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. From the opening game, the 24‑year‑old Italian displayed a disciplined, aggressive style.
He broke the home crowd favourite twice in the first set, racing to a 5‑2 lead before sealing the set with a powerful backhand winner that left Jodar scrambling. Throughout the set, Sinner’s footwork was crisp, his serve steady, and his groundstrokes deep, forcing the Spaniard into defensive positions. The second set proved far more contested. Jodar, fresh off a maiden tour title in Morocco, surged ahead to 4‑2, showcasing his own potent forehand and a willingness to attack the net.
Sinner, however, remained composed, saving two break points to level the score at 3‑3. A double fault from Sinner later gave Jodar a chance to break again, but the Italian responded with a blistering cross‑court forehand and two precise backhand winners that brushed the sideline, denying the Spaniard the break. At 40‑15 in the following game, Sinner appeared to be pulling away, yet Jodar displayed remarkable resilience, saving three break points before finally converting one to take the game. The tension escalated as both players exchanged long rallies, each trying to dictate play.
Sinner’s experience on clay shone through as he began to dictate the pace, using heavy topspin to push Jodar back and opening up the court for his forehand. When the set reached a 6‑6 deadlock, Sinner surged in the tie‑break with a series of unreturnable forehands, ultimately winning the tie‑break 7‑0.
His decisive forehand on the final point left Jodar with no chance of a comeback, sealing Sinner’s spot in the semi‑finals. In post‑match comments to Sky Sports Tennis, Sinner praised his opponent’s talent: "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 it would be very difficult to beat him, especially here." He added that Jodar’s familiarity with the local conditions gave him an edge, but Sinner’s own experience in the second set helped him stay ahead.
"I got a little bit 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 ended the match. I tried to level up a little bit, trying to go a little bit faster and this helped me," the world No.
1 explained. Sinner’s next opponent will be the winner of the match between Arthur Fils and Jiri Lehecka, scheduled later on Wednesday.
Both contenders have shown strong form throughout the tournament, and Sinner will be looking to continue his momentum as he chases his second clay‑court title of the season after his triumph at the Monte‑Carlo Masters. Meanwhile, the women's draw delivered its own surprise story.
Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the Madrid Open as a lucky loser after losing in qualifying, made history by becoming the first lucky loser 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 roller‑coaster encounter that saw her squander three match points before ultimately prevailing. Potapova’s run has been nothing short of remarkable. After qualifying loss, she capitalised on her unexpected main‑draw entry, dispatching former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in earlier rounds.
When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying defeat, the unseeded player replied, "No, I wouldn't, for any money and anything. 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 in my life at the moment." In the decisive third set against Pliskova, Potapova trailed 3‑1 before launching a five‑game streak, culminating in a 10th‑ace that sealed the match.
She later reflected on missed opportunities, saying, "I was given a few match points in the second set on 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." Potapova will meet Marta Kostyuk in the semi‑finals after the Ukrainian defeated Linda Noskova 7‑6 (7‑1), 6‑0. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round of the previous year’s Madrid Open, has been unbeaten on clay this season, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash.
Both the ATP and WTA events 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, ensuring that the excitement of Madrid’s courts reaches audiences worldwide.