World No. 1 Jannik Sinner demonstrated his composure and skill on Wednesday by edging past 19-year-old wildcard Rafael Jodar in the Madrid Open quarter-finals, securing a 6-2, 7-6 (7-0) victory. The win not only moved Sinner into the semi-final stage but also made him the sixth player in history to reach the semi-finals of all nine ATP Masters 1000 events, a testament to his consistency across different surfaces and conditions. The match began with Sinner imposing his game plan early.
In the first set he broke Jodar’s serve twice, establishing a 5-2 lead that put the young Spaniard under pressure. Sinner’s backhand, a weapon he has refined over recent seasons, capped the set with a decisive winner, allowing him to close the opening set 6-2. Throughout those games, Sinner displayed a disciplined approach, mixing deep groundstrokes with precise placement to keep Jodar on the defensive. Jodar, who had captured his maiden tour title in Morocco earlier in the month, showed why he earned a wildcard in Madrid.
He fought back in the second set, surging ahead 4-2 and threatening to turn the tide. However, Sinner’s experience shone through when he saved two break points to level the score at 3-3. A crucial double fault from Sinner later gave Jodar a chance to break again, but the Italian responded with a powerful cross‑court forehand and two sharp backhand winners that skimmed the sideline, fending off three more break opportunities.
The tension escalated as Sinner surged ahead 40-15 in the next game, only for Jodar to rescue three break points and take the game himself. The momentum swung back and forth, but Sinner maintained his composure, focusing on his first‑serve percentage and minimizing unforced errors.
As the set progressed to a tiebreak, Sinner elevated his level, dominating the mini‑set with aggressive forehands and precise volleys. He closed the tiebreak 7-0, sealing the match and confirming his place in the semi-finals. Looking ahead, Sinner will meet either France’s rising star Arthur Fils or Czech contender Jiri Lehecka, who are scheduled to play later on Wednesday. The winner of that encounter will become Sinner’s opponent in the semi-finals, where the Italian will aim to add another Masters 1000 title to his growing résumé.
After the match, Sinner spoke to Sky Sports Tennis, offering insight into his mindset. He praised Jodar, calling him "an incredible player" and acknowledging the added difficulty of facing a local competitor who knows the conditions intimately. "A tough challenge. I knew already before the match it was going to be very tough to beat him, especially here," Sinner said.
He added that his experience in the second set helped him navigate the crucial moments, and he felt a degree of luck was on his side at times. "I tried to keep the level as high as I could," he explained, noting that a slight increase in pace helped him finish the match strongly. The Madrid Open also featured a historic moment on the women’s side.
Anastasia Potapova, a Russian‑born Austrian who entered the tournament as a lucky loser after losing in qualifying, became the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi‑final. Potapova defeated former world No.
1 Karolina Pliskova in a dramatic three‑set battle, winning 6-1, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3. Despite squandering three match points, Potapova’s resilience carried her through, showcasing the depth of talent on the women's tour. Potapova’s run in Madrid has been remarkable. After qualifying disappointment, she capitalized on her unexpected main‑draw entry, dispatching former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No.
2 Elena Rybakina in earlier rounds. When asked whether she ever imagined reaching the final four after her qualifying loss, Potapova replied, "No, I wouldn't, for any money and anything.
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 in my life at the moment." In the decisive third set against Pliskova, Potavova trailed 3-1 before launching a five‑game streak that culminated in a spectacular ace for her tenth service winner of the match. Overcome with emotion, she fell to her knees after sealing the win.
Reflecting on her performance, she admitted to nerves in the second set but emphasized that the tournament seemed to keep offering her second chances, which she was determined to seize. Potapova’s next challenge will be against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who advanced by beating Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1), 6-0.
Kostyuk, who eliminated Potapova in the fourth round of the previous year’s Madrid Open, enters the semi‑finals unbeaten on clay this season, setting up a compelling clash between two players who have both tasted success on the surface. Both the ATP and WTA events in Madrid are being broadcast live on Sky Sports and can be streamed via the NOW platform and the Sky Sports app, offering subscribers access to more than half of the year’s live sport without additional cost. Fans looking for comprehensive coverage, highlights, and expert analysis can follow the ongoing action through these channels, ensuring they don’t miss any of the drama unfolding on the iconic clay courts of the Caja Mágica.