Lucky loser Potapova stuns Pliskova to reach Madrid Open semifinals

Key facts

• Anastasia Potapova defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 in the Madrid Open quarterfinals.
• Potapova is the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal since the format's introduction in 1990.
• She entered the main draw after another player withdrew, having lost in qualifying.
• Potapova had previously beaten Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
• She will face 26th seed Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals.
• Kostyuk defeated Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0 in the other quarterfinal.
• Jannik Sinner also advanced to the men's semifinals, extending his winning streak to 21 matches.

A second chance seized

Anastasia Potapova collapsed to her knees after sealing victory with her 10th ace, a moment of disbelief for a player who had lost in qualifying just days earlier. The 25-year-old Russian-born Austrian had been given a place in the main draw on 35 minutes' notice when another player withdrew. Now she stands as the first lucky loser ever to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal. "No, I wouldn't, for any money and anything," Potapova said when asked if she thought a semifinal appearance was possible after her qualifying loss. "That's what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance and now I'm here." Her run in Madrid has already included wins over former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world No. 2 Elena Rybakina.

A comeback that nearly slipped away

Potapova appeared headed for a routine victory after taking the first set in just 24 minutes, then securing three match points in the second. But Pliskova, a former world No. 1, fought back to force a tiebreak and level the match. The Czech then took a 3-1 lead in the deciding set, seemingly turning the tide. Potapova responded by reeling off five consecutive games, closing out the match with her 10th ace. The win improved her record against Pliskova to 1-1, avenging a three-set loss in Doha in 2024. "I came out on court with nothing to regret, with nothing to lose," Potapova had said after her win over Rybakina. "Such a win gives me a booster mentally and physically."

A historic milestone for lucky losers

Potapova's achievement is unprecedented in WTA 1000 history. Since the category's introduction in 1990, no lucky loser had reached the semifinals of a Tier I or WTA 1000 event. She is also into her first career WTA 1000 semifinal, having lost her previous three quarterfinals at this level, most recently at Indian Wells in 2024. Her run in Madrid builds on a strong clay-court season that included a final in Linz. She has now reached her 32nd singles quarterfinal and fourth WTA 1000 quarterfinal overall. The win over Rybakina was her fourth career victory against a top-5 opponent.

Pliskova's resurgence falls short

For Pliskova, the quarterfinal marked her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal on clay since 2021, a sign of her return to form after injury. She had beaten Maria Sakkari and Elise Mertens convincingly, overcoming a 1-4, 0-40 deficit in the latter. The 33-year-old Czech had also handled Solana Sierra with ease in the previous round. Despite the loss, Pliskova's run in Madrid was her best result in a clay-court tournament since returning from injury. She had entered the tournament unseeded, making her quarterfinal appearance one of the most unexpected in the draw alongside Potapova.

Kostyuk awaits in the semifinals

Potapova will face 26th seed Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals after the Ukrainian defeated Czech 13th seed Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0. The match will be the first tour-level meeting between Potapova and Kostyuk, both of whom are seeking their first WTA 1000 final. Kostyuk's victory over Noskova was dominant, dropping just one game after a tight first set. The 22-year-old Ukrainian has been steadily climbing the rankings and will pose a significant challenge to Potapova's historic run. The semifinal is scheduled for Friday on Manolo Santana Stadium.

Sinner extends winning streak in men's draw

Meanwhile, in the men's tournament, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to the Madrid semifinals for the first time, securing his 21st consecutive victory. The Italian's winning streak is the longest on the ATP Tour this year, underscoring his dominance on clay. Sinner's run in Madrid has been marked by efficient victories, and he will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the semifinals. His form makes him the clear favorite to lift the title, though the women's draw has provided the tournament's biggest surprises.

A tournament of second chances

Potapova's journey from qualifying loser to semifinalist encapsulates the unpredictability that defines tennis. "I just wanted actually to see where my level is now because she's one of the best now," she said after beating Rybakina. "Am I far or am I close?" The answer, now, is clear: she is among the final four in Madrid, rewriting the record books along the way. As the tournament heads into its final weekend, Potapova's story has become the narrative that transcends the sport. Whether she can continue her run against Kostyuk remains to be seen, but she has already secured her place in tennis history.

The bottom line

• Anastasia Potapova is the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal, defeating former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova.
• She entered the main draw after a late withdrawal and has beaten Ostapenko, Rybakina, and Pliskova en route.
• Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk in the semifinals; Kostyuk beat Linda Noskova in straight sets.
• Jannik Sinner advanced to the men's semifinals, extending his winning streak to 21 matches.
• Pliskova's run marked her first WTA 1000 clay quarterfinal since 2021, a positive sign after injury.
• Potapova's historic run highlights the unpredictability of tennis and the value of second chances.