World No. 1 Jannik Sinner demonstrated his class in Madrid on Wednesday, edging out 19‑year‑old wild‑card entrant Rafael Jodar with a 6‑2, 7‑6 (7‑0) victory in the quarter‑finals.
The win not only secured his place in 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. From the first serve, Sinner imposed a disciplined rhythm. He broke the home favourite twice in the opening set, establishing a 5‑2 lead that gave him a comfortable cushion.
A powerful backhand winner sealed the set, leaving Jodar with little chance to recover. The young Spaniard, fresh from his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier this month, showed flashes of brilliance but struggled to match the Italian’s consistency. The second set proved far more contested. Jodar surged ahead to 4‑2, threatening to turn the tide.
Sinner, however, displayed remarkable resilience, saving five break points in the opening games of the set. At 3‑3, the Italian repelled two more break opportunities, keeping the set level. A double fault from Sinner briefly gave Jodar the impression of a possible break, but Sinner responded with a decisive cross‑court forehand and two backhand winners that clipped the sideline, thwarting the Spaniard’s momentum.
The battle intensified as Sinner surged to a 40‑15 advantage in the next game, only for Jodar to save three break points and claim the game himself. Nevertheless, the world‑number‑one remained unfazed. He continued to apply pressure, eventually forcing Jodar into a tiebreak. In the breaker, Sinner’s experience shone through; he dominated the points, culminating in a forehand that Jodar could not reach, sealing the tiebreak 7‑0 and completing the match.
Sinner’s performance in Madrid comes on the back of his recent triumph at the Monte‑Carlo Masters, where he captured his second clay‑court title of the season. His ability to stay composed under pressure, especially when defending multiple break points, underscores why he is regarded as the sport’s premier talent on the surface. Looking ahead, Sinner will meet either France’s rising star Arthur Fils or Czech prodigy Jiri Lehecka in the semi‑finals, both of whom are slated to play later on Wednesday. The winner of that encounter will determine Sinner’s next opponent as he continues his quest for another Masters 1000 crown.
After the match, Sinner spoke to Sky Sports Tennis, offering insight into his mindset: "Jodar is 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 courts.
He’s from here, 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." In the women’s draw, another historic moment unfolded.
Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian, became the first lucky loser ever to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. After losing in qualifying, she entered the main draw as a replacement and proceeded to upset former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova with a 6‑1, 6‑7 (4‑7), 6‑3 win. Potapova’s run has been remarkable, featuring victories over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No.
2 Elena Rybakina. When asked whether she ever imagined being in the final four after her qualifying defeat, Potapova 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 deciding set against Pliskova, Potapova trailed 3‑1 before launching a five‑game streak, culminating in a decisive ace that sent her to her knees in relief.
Reflecting on missed opportunities, she said, "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’s next challenge will be against Ukraine’s 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 last year, remains unbeaten on clay this season. Both the ATP and WTA events in Madrid are being broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers access to more than 50% additional live sport at no extra cost.
Overall, the Madrid Open continues to deliver compelling narratives: Sinner’s pursuit of a historic Masters 1000 sweep and Potapova’s Cinderella story as a lucky loser defying the odds. Their performances highlight the depth of talent on both the men’s and women’s tours and set the stage for thrilling semi‑final encounters that will determine who lifts the coveted trophies in the capital of Spain.