Anastasia Potapova Makes History as First Lucky Loser to Reach WTA 1000 Semi-Finals Anastasia Potapova has made history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semi-final, after her dramatic victory over former world number one Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open. The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, secured her place in the main draw when another player withdrew. Potapova’s triumph over Pliskova in the last eight marks a remarkable turnaround in her tournament, following her earlier wins against top-tier opponents. The 25-year-old began her run with a convincing 6-1 victory over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, then defeated world number two Elena Rybakina. Her path to the semi-finals continued with a thrilling encounter against Pliskova, where she overcame a resilient opponent to advance. Potapova’s journey has been described as a testament to her resilience and determination, with her coach and fans hailing her performance as a defining moment in her career. In the final stages of her match, Potapova faced a significant challenge. After taking the first set in just 24 minutes, she struggled to maintain her momentum in the second, allowing Pliskova to force a tiebreak and level the match. The third set saw Pliskova take a 3-1 lead, but Potapova rallied with a stunning comeback, winning five consecutive games to seal the victory. Her 10th ace in the match, followed by a dramatic collapse to her knees, underscored the intensity of the contest. Potapova will now face 26th seed Marta Kostyuk in the semi-finals, after the Ukrainian defeated Czech 13th seed Linda Noskova 7-6 (7-1) 6-0. Meanwhile, in the men’s tournament, Jannik Sinner extended his winning streak to 21 matches, securing his place in the Madrid Open semi-finals for the first time.#jelena_ostapenko #elena_rybakina #anastasia_potapova #madrid_open #karolina_pliskova
"Lucky Loser" Anastasia Potapova Reaches Madrid Open Semifinals Anastasia Potapova, ranked 56th in the world, made history by becoming the first "lucky loser" to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 event at the Madrid Open. The Russian player, who entered the main draw after a fellow competitor withdrew, defeated top-10 player Karolina Pliskova in a three-set thriller on Wednesday. The victory, which came after a dramatic comeback in the third set, marked a significant milestone for Potapova, who had initially doubted her chances of advancing in the tournament. The match against Pliskova, a former world No. 1, was a test of resilience. Potapova squandered three match points in the second set and faced a 3-1 deficit in the third. Despite the setbacks, she rallied to win 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, securing her place in the semifinals. The win extended her winning streak to four matches, including a previous victory over world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the round of 16. Potapova’s emotional celebration after the match included kneeling on the court, covering her face with her hands, and breaking down in tears. She described the moment as an "explosion of emotions inside," acknowledging the difficulty of the journey. "I had a few match points in the second set, on serve, but I couldn't manage my nerves at that time," she said. "It seems that this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep using them. So yeah, supper happy." The 25-year-old player credited her boyfriend, Dutch tennis player Tallon Griekspoor, for his crucial support during the match. Griekspoor, who arrived at the tournament just in time, provided mental encouragement during a pivotal moment in the third set. "I was a little bit gone mentally in the third set. I didn't believe in myself at that moment," Potapova said.#wta #tallon_griekspoor #anastasia_potapova #madrid_open #karolina_pliskova
WTA Madrid Quarterfinals Set for Intense Battles as Top Players Clash The WTA Madrid Open quarterfinals reached a critical stage as two high-stakes matches unfolded on Wednesday, with players vying for semifinal berths and significant ranking boosts. The tournament’s fourth round had already concluded on Monday, followed by two quarterfinals on Tuesday, setting the stage for Thursday’s semifinals. The Wednesday matches carried added weight, as the winners would face a grueling schedule with no rest days before the semifinals. This meant players had to prioritize efficiency in their matches, though the evenly matched pairings made straightforward victories unlikely. The first match of the day featured Karolina Pliskova and Anastasia Potapova, two underdogs who had defied expectations to reach the quarterfinals. Pliskova, once a top-tier contender, had been sidelined by injuries and surgeries, leaving her ranked No. 197 at the start of the tournament. Her recent return to form has propelled her live ranking to 129, with a win in Madrid potentially pushing her into the top 100. Potapova, already in the top 50, had made a strong case for herself by defeating World No. 2 Elena Rybakina in the Round of 16. The match between these two players promised to be a tight contest, with both showing signs of improved form. Pliskova’s earlier Monday match had been played several hours before Potapova’s, giving her a potential edge in freshness. However, the outcome remained uncertain, with betting odds favoring Pliskova at 2.55 but offering more value in spread bets for Pliskova +3.5 games at 1.80. The second Wednesday match saw Marta Kostyuk face Linda Noskova, two in-form players with contrasting styles.#linda_noskova #anastasia_potapova #marta_kostyuk #wta_madrid_open #karolina_pliskova
