World No. 1 Jannik Sinner edged out 19-year-old wild‑card entrant Rafael Jodar with a 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) victory in the quarter‑finals of the Madrid Open on Wednesday, securing his place as the sixth player ever to reach the semi‑final stage of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events. The Italian displayed composure under pressure, fending off five break points in the second set and then launching an 11‑point streak that sealed the match against the Spanish hopeful. In the opening set Sinner imposed a disciplined rhythm, breaking Jodar twice to build a 5-2 lead.
He capped the set with a powerful backhand winner that left the crowd applauding. Jodar, who had captured his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier in the month, fought back in the second set, pulling ahead 4-2 and threatening to overturn the Italian's dominance. However, Sinner rebounded, saving two break points to level the score at 3-3. A crucial moment arrived when a double fault from Sinner gave Jodar a chance to break again.
The young Spaniard seized the opportunity, but Sinner responded with a series of aggressive cross‑court forehands and two crisp backhand winners that skimmed the sideline, forcing Jodar into a defensive posture. Sinner then surged ahead 40-15 in the following game, only for Jodar to save three break points before finally clinching the game himself.
The match reached its climax in a tiebreak, where Sinner, motivated by his recent success at the Monte‑Carlo Masters and eager to claim a second clay‑court title this season, dominated the points. He finished the tiebreak with a forehand that Jodar could not touch, sealing the win and booking his semi‑final slot. Sinner's next opponent will be determined after the remaining quarter‑final, featuring Arthur Fils versus Jiri Lehecka, later on Wednesday. After the match, Sinner spoke to Sky Sports Tennis, praising his opponent: "He's an incredible player, Spain has another remarkable 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 here on these courts. He knows the conditions perfectly.
I gained a bit more experience in the second set, got a little lucky at times, but 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 little, and that helped me." The tournament also produced a historic moment on the women’s side. Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian, became the first lucky loser ever to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final after a dramatic 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 win over former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova. Potapova had fallen in the qualifying rounds just a week earlier, but a last‑minute main‑draw entry turned into a fairy‑tale run that included victories over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No.
2 Elena Rybakina. When asked whether she ever imagined being among the final four after her qualifying loss, 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." After trailing 3-1 in the deciding set, Potapova rallied, winning five straight games and sealing the match with her tenth ace before collapsing to her knees in relief.
Reflecting on missed opportunities, she admitted, "I had a few match points in the second set on my 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 meet 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 can be followed live on Sky Sports or streamed via NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers over 50% more live sport at no extra cost.
For fans seeking comprehensive coverage, the Sky Sports platform provides scores, results, upcoming fixtures, video highlights, and in‑depth analysis of each match. The Madrid Open continues to showcase emerging talent and seasoned champions alike, underscoring the depth and excitement of modern tennis.