Magic Run: Potapova Tops Pliskova, Becomes First Lucky Loser to Reach Madrid Semifinals
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Photo credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook
Embracing spiking stress, Anastasia Potapova stung a match-ending ace off the sideline, dropped to her knees and shed tears of joy.
Lucky loser Potapova scored a wild win extending her historic run to the Mutua Madrid Open semifinals.
Potapova burst through the final five games defeating former No. 1 Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 to become the first lucky loser to reach the final four of a WTA 1000/Tier I tournament since the format’s inception in 1990.
“I think that’s what makes our sport so beautiful,” Potapova said. “I was given a second chance and now I’m here.
“I’m speechless. I’m super happy. There is nothing better that can happen with me in my life at the moment.”
Infused with new life after losing to Sinja Kraus in qualifying last week, Potapova has produced some of the most inspired tennis of her career. The 56th-ranked Potapova has beaten Zhang Shuai, Jelena Ostapenko, No. 2 Elena Rybakina and Pliskova to advance to her second straight semifinal after reaching the final at Linz.
The Saratov, Russia-born Potapova, who was granted Austrian citizenship last December, is the first woman representing Austria to reach the semifinals of a WTA 1000 tournament.
It didn’t come easy.
Potapova failed to convert two match points when she served for the semifinal at 5-4 of the second set, squandered a third match point serving for the win at 6-5 and fell behind 1-3 in the decider.
Despite all the drama, Potapova locked in with fierce focus and found her first serve when she needed it most streaking through 12 of the final 14 points.
An opportunistic Potapova nearly doubled Pliskova’s winner total—40 to 21—and cracked 10 aces, including the slider ace on match point that sparked her emotional eruption.
“It’s just a little explosion of emotions inside because I was given a few match points in the second set and on serve and I couldn’t manage my nerves at that time,” Potapova said. “Since this tournament keeps giving me the second chances and I keep using them. I’m super happy.”
Afterward, Potapova conceded she briefly lost her sense of self-belief, but credited boyfriend and ATP pro Tallon Griekspoor for sending her positive energy from the support box. Griekspoor stood and raised an thumbs-up to Potapova after her stirring match point moment.
“I was a little bit gone mentally in the third set,” Potapova said. “I didn’t believe in myself in that moment.
“Honestly, deep respect to my boyfriend who came just on time. He saved me just on time. He kept telling me: You can do this. If I can say in the third set it was most of his job to do this. I just played and he just mentally kept me there.”
Potapova powered through a two-ace game to serve out a strong opening set.
Measuring her backhand, Potapova spun a dipping crosscourt pass. Pliskova could not handle the low volley as Potapova broke again for a 4-3 second-set lead after 47 minutes.
Serving for the semifinal at 5-4, Potapova saw her first match point disappear when Pliskova drilled a backhand down the line. On match point No. 2, Pliskova clocked a crosscourt forehand winner.
Then, Potapova blinked dumping two double faults in a row to hand the break to the Czech. Still, Potapova broke back at love then held a third match point on serve at 6-5.
A calm Pliskova fired another forehand winner to save it. Succumbing to the pressure, Potapova netted a volley and sprayed a backhand as Pliskova forced the tiebreaker.
The tiebreaker was even after six points. Potapova could not find net clearance under pressure committing three unforced errors in a row to face double set point at 6-4.
Potapova double faulted away the set as Pliskova leveled the match after 77 minutes of play.
Squinting into the high sun, Potapova was catching her service toss and spraying her forehand as the third set began.
The 25-year-old Potapova lost the plot on serve, spitting up back to back double faults to cede a third straight break to Pliskova.
The former world No. 1 could not capitalize on that good fortune: Pliskova double faulted the break back in the second game.
Pounding Potapova’s forehand, Pliskova rattled out another errant forehand for the third break of the set and a 2-1 lead.
Serving at 3-2, Pliskova moved out to a 40-15 lead, but could not close. Potapova hit some of her most decisive forehands of the set and curled a crosscourt short-angled backhand winner that helped her break back to level.
Playing with more energy and serving with more authority, Potapova turned the set around.
Thumping a stinging serve, Potapova held firm for 4-3. Potapova’s boyfriend, ATP pro Tallon Griekspoor, stood and applauded from her court-side box.
Then Pliskova, perhaps feeling the physicality of rallies, played her poorest game of the set. Potapova broke at love for 5-3.
On her fourth match point, Potapova stung the sideline with her 10th ace. Potapova will play either 13th-seeded Linda Noskova or 26th-seeded Marta Kostyuk for a place in the final.
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