World number one Jannik Sinner demonstrated his class on Wednesday by fending off a spirited challenge from 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar, clinching a 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) victory in the Madrid Open quarterfinals. The win not only propelled Sinner into the semifinals but also made him the sixth player in history to reach the final four of every single ATP Masters 1000 event. From the first serve, the 24-year-old Italian displayed a disciplined, aggressive style.
He broke the home crowd favourite twice in the opening set, building 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 positioning impeccable, and his shot selection varied between deep topspin forehands and precise slice backhands, keeping the Spaniard off balance. The second set proved more contested.
Jodar, fresh off a maiden tour title in Morocco earlier this month, surged ahead to 4-2, showcasing his own weapons – a booming serve and a willingness to attack the net. Yet Sinner’s experience shone through as he saved two break points to level the score at 3-3. A double fault from the Italian gave Jodar another chance to break, but Sinner responded with a blistering cross‑court forehand and two sharp backhand winners that skimmed the sideline, forcing the Spaniard to defend intensely. The momentum swung back and forth.
Sinner raced to a 40-15 advantage in the next game, only for Jodar to rescue three break points and take the game himself, underscoring the young Spaniard’s resilience. As the set progressed, the Italian’s composure grew; he began to dictate play with a higher tempo, stepping inside the baseline to hit his forehand earlier and taking the ball on the rise. When the set reached a tiebreak, Sinner seized control.
He raced ahead, winning the tiebreak 7-0 with a series of clean forehand drives that Jodar could not reach. The decisive point came with a forehand that skimmed just over the net, leaving Jodar flat‑footed and cementing Sinner’s passage to the semifinals.
In the post‑match interview with Sky Sports Tennis, Sinner praised his opponent, saying, "He’s an incredible player, and Spain now has another rising star, which is fantastic for the sport. I knew going into the match that it would be a tough battle, especially on these conditions. He knows how to play here, and I had to bring a little extra experience in the second set.
I felt a bit lucky at times, but I tried to keep my level as high as possible." He added, "I’m happy with how I finished the match. I tried to raise my intensity, play a bit faster, and that helped me get the win." Sinner’s next opponent will be the winner of the match between Arthur Fils and Jiri Lehecka, scheduled later on Wednesday. Both players have shown strong form, and Sinner will be looking to add another Masters 1000 title to his résumé, having already captured the Monte‑Carlo Masters earlier in the clay season. 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 semifinal. She achieved this feat by defeating former world number one Karolina Pliskova in a roller‑coaster match that ended 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3.
Potapova’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. After losing in the qualifying rounds, she seized her unexpected main‑draw spot and proceeded to upset former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number two Elena Rybakina, showcasing a blend of aggressive baseline play and deft touch at the net. When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded player replied, "No, I wouldn’t have believed it for any amount of money. That’s what makes our sport beautiful – you get a second chance and you have to make the most of it." In the semifinal, Potapova will meet Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who dispatched Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 6-0 to claim her spot.
Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round of the previous year’s Madrid Open, has been unbeaten on clay this season, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming clash. Both the ATP and WTA events continue to draw massive viewership, 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 charge, reinforcing the tournament’s reputation as a premier showcase of elite tennis talent on the iconic red clay of Madrid.