World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his composure and tactical acumen on Wednesday by edging out 19‑year‑old Spanish wildcard Rafael Jodar 6‑2, 7‑6 (7‑0) in the quarter‑finals of the Madrid Open. The victory not only secured Sinner a place in the semi‑finals but also made him the sixth player in history to reach the last four of every ATP Masters 1000 event. The Italian entered the match in formidable form, having already captured the Monte‑Carlo Masters and chasing his second clay title of the season.
From the first rally, Sinner imposed a disciplined rhythm, breaking Jodar twice in the opening set and building a 5‑2 lead. He then sealed the set with a powerful backhand winner that left the young Spaniard scrambling for a response. The second set proved far more contested.
Jodar, fresh off a maiden tour‑level triumph in Morocco, fought back with vigor, racing to a 4‑2 advantage and threatening to overturn the Italian’s dominance. Sinner, however, displayed remarkable resilience, saving five break points in the crucial moments of the set.
At 3‑3, a double fault from Sinner gave Jodar a fleeting chance to break, but the world‑number‑one answered with a crisp cross‑court forehand and two backhand winners that clipped the sideline, preserving the tie. Jodar continued to press, saving three break points of his own before finally breaking Sinner’s serve to go up 40‑15 in the following game.
Yet Sinner’s experience shone through; he steadied his serve, forced errors, and forced Jodar into a defensive posture. When the set reached a tiebreak, Sinner surged ahead, winning eleven consecutive points and delivering a decisive forehand that Jodar could not retrieve. The 7‑0 tiebreak score underscored Sinner’s ability to raise his level when the pressure peaked.
In post‑match remarks to Sky Sports Tennis, Sinner praised his opponent’s talent, noting, "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 added that his own experience in the second set, combined with a touch of luck, helped him maintain a high standard of play. "I’m happy with how I finished the match.
I tried to raise my level a bit, play a little faster, and that made a difference," he said. Sinner’s next opponent will be determined in the later quarter‑final match between France’s Arthur Fils and the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka. Whichever emerges will face the Italian in the semi‑finals, where Sinner will look to continue his impressive clay‑court campaign.
The Madrid Open also delivered a historic moment on the women’s side. Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the tournament as a lucky loser after falling in qualifying, became the first lucky loser ever to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. She achieved this feat by defeating former world number one 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 spectacular.
After qualifying loss, she seized her unexpected main‑draw spot and proceeded to dispatch former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina, showcasing a blend of power, precision, and mental fortitude. When asked whether she ever imagined reaching the final four after her early setback, 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. Nothing better could happen to me right now." In the semi‑final, Potapova will meet Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched Linda Noskova 7‑6 (7‑1), 6‑0 to secure her own spot. Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the previous year’s Madrid fourth round, enters the match unbeaten on clay this season, setting up a compelling clash between two rising talents. Both the ATP and WTA events in Madrid 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 additional cost, underscoring the tournament’s commitment to delivering high‑quality tennis to a worldwide audience. Overall, Sinner’s triumph over Jodar not only adds another Masters 1000 semi‑final to his résumé but also highlights his growing mastery on clay, while Potapova’s unprecedented lucky‑loser run adds a fresh narrative of resilience and opportunity to the women’s draw.
The upcoming semi‑finals promise high‑stakes tennis, with both seasoned champions and emerging stars vying for the coveted titles in one of the sport’s most prestigious spring events.