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#Madrid #Open #Lucky #loser #Potapova #history #reaching #semifinal">Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal 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
Anastasia Potapova turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach…
Sports news
#Madrid #Open #Gauff #overcomes #stomach #bug #vomiting #enter">Madrid Open 2026: Gauff overcomes stomach bug, vomiting to enter Round of 16
Coco Gauff became the latest victim of the stomach virus that has been sweeping through the draw at the Madrid Open but the ailing American still found a way to beat Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday and reach the round of 16.
Several players have been struggling with illness in the Spanish capital this week, including Iga Swiatek, who was forced to retire from her match against Ann Li on Saturday, and Marin Cilic, who had to withdraw ahead of his second-round meeting with Joao Fonseca on Friday.
Liudmila Samsonova also pulled out of the tournament on Sunday citing illness ahead of her third-round match with Linda Noskova.
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match before she completed the win in two hours and 21 minutes.
“Yeah, I don’t know, honestly (how I got through that),” said Gauff, who will face Noskova in the last 16. “I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another. I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately. So, I’m just going to try to push through for tomorrow.”
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match.
| Photo Credit:
AP
A runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka in the Spanish capital 12 months ago, Gauff has 3,300 points to defend on clay from Madrid through to her Roland Garros title defence in early June.
“I pulled out in Indian Wells. I’m not someone who likes to pull out, so I didn’t want to pull out again today. So, I’m glad that I was able to get through it,” added the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“I did start to feel better, not feeling like I had to throw up. They gave me some pills, so that definitely helped.
“But I was really tired… The first part was literally just trying to keep whatever I ate down. Once they gave me something to help with that, then I was just nauseous and tired. But I can deal with that.”
Published on Apr 26, 2026
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match. | Photo Credit: AP
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match. | Photo Credit: AP
Coco Gauff became the latest victim of the stomach virus that has been sweeping through the draw at the Madrid Open but the ailing American still found a way to beat Sorana Cirstea 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 on Sunday and reach the round of 16.
Several players have been struggling with illness in the Spanish capital this week, including Iga Swiatek, who was forced to retire from her match against Ann Li on Saturday, and Marin Cilic, who had to withdraw ahead of his second-round meeting with Joao Fonseca on Friday.
Liudmila Samsonova also pulled out of the tournament on Sunday citing illness ahead of her third-round match with Linda Noskova.
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match before she completed the win in two hours and 21 minutes.
“Yeah, I don’t know, honestly (how I got through that),” said Gauff, who will face Noskova in the last 16. “I was just trying to finish the match and one point turned into another. I think I got what everybody else is having here in Madrid, unfortunately. So, I’m just going to try to push through for tomorrow.”
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match. | Photo Credit: AP
Gauff vomited in a bin on the court during her clash with Cirstea, and asked for a medical timeout during the latter stages of the match. | Photo Credit: AP
A runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka in the Spanish capital 12 months ago, Gauff has 3,300 points to defend on clay from Madrid through to her Roland Garros title defence in early June.
“I pulled out in Indian Wells. I’m not someone who likes to pull out, so I didn’t want to pull out again today. So, I’m glad that I was able to get through it,” added the two-time Grand Slam champion.
“I did start to feel better, not feeling like I had to throw up. They gave me some pills, so that definitely helped.
“But I was really tired… The first part was literally just trying to keep whatever I ate down. Once they gave me something to help with that, then I was just nauseous and tired. But I can deal with that.”
Published on Apr 26, 2026
Coco Gauff became the latest victim of the stomach virus that has been sweeping through…