World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his composure and skill on Wednesday by edging out 19-year-old wild‑card entrant Rafael Jodar in the quarter‑finals of the Madrid Open, winning 6-2, 7-6 (7-0). The victory 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. The Italian champion displayed a masterclass of consistency throughout the match.
In the opening set he imposed his game early, breaking the Spanish hopeful twice and building a comfortable 5-2 lead. A powerful backhand winner capped the set, giving Sinner a solid platform to build on.
Jodar, who had recently celebrated his first tour title in Morocco, showed flashes of brilliance but could not sustain the pressure. The second set proved far more competitive. Jodar surged ahead to 4-2, threatening to overturn the Italian’s dominance.
However, Sinner’s experience shone through as he saved two break points to level the score at 3-3. A double fault from Sinner briefly gave Jodar another opportunity, but the world‑number‑one responded with a crisp cross‑court forehand and two precise backhand winners that skimmed the sideline, thwarting the break attempt. Sinner then raced ahead to 40‑15 in the following game, yet Jodar displayed resilience by saving three break points before finally clinching the game. The momentum swung back to Sinner, who, buoyed by his recent clay‑court success at the Monte‑Carlo Masters, dominated the ensuing tie‑break.
He sealed the set with a forehand that Jodar could not reach, closing the match with a 7‑0 sweep in the breaker. In the post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Sinner praised his opponent: "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 on these conditions.
He knows how to play on this surface, but I gained a little more experience in the second set and got a bit lucky at times. I tried to keep my level as high as possible. I'm happy with how I finished the match – I tried to raise my intensity a bit, and that helped me." Sinner’s next opponent will be determined by the outcome of the other quarter‑final, featuring either Arthur Fils or Jiri Lehecka, scheduled for later on Wednesday. Meanwhile, on the women’s side of the tournament, Anastasia Potapova made history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final.
After falling in the qualifying rounds, the Russian‑born Austrian seized her unexpected main‑draw spot and defeated former world number one Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in a dramatic encounter. Potapova’s run has been nothing short of spectacular. She has already dispatched former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina, showcasing a blend of power and tactical acumen. When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova responded, "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 found herself trailing 3-1 but rallied magnificently, winning five consecutive games and sealing the match with her tenth ace before collapsing to her knees in relief.
Reflecting on the experience, she admitted, "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 will face Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk in the semi‑finals after Kostyuk dispatched Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 6-0. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round of Madrid last year, remains unbeaten on clay this season.
Both the ATP and WTA events are being broadcast live on Sky Sports, with streaming options available through NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering customers over 50 percent more live sport at no extra cost. Fans can follow the remaining matches, catch highlights, and enjoy in‑depth analysis as the Madrid Open reaches its climax.