Anastasia Potapova turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming ​the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal ‌with her thrilling 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory ​over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open ⁠on Wednesday.

The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, has capitalised on her unexpected main draw entry and ‌stunned former world number one Pliskova in a roller-coaster clash despite squandering three match points.

Potapova’s ‌run has included impressive victories over former ‌French ⁠Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number ⁠two Elena Rybakina.

Asked if she had thought she would be in the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova ​said: “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.”

After cruising through Wednesday’s opening set, Potapova appeared destined for a straightforward ⁠victory when she earned three match points in the second.

But Pliskova clawed her way back to force a ‌tiebreak and level the match.

Potapova trailed 3-1 in the decider, only to reel off five consecutive games and seal victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her knees.

“I was given a few match points in the second set on serve. I ‌couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that,” ​Potapova said.

“But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep ⁠using them.”

Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk in the ⁠semifinals after the Ukrainian beat Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0. Kostyuk defeated Potapova in the fourth ‌round last year in Madrid, and is undefeated on clay this year.

Published on Apr 30, 2026