Anastasia Potapova recorded the greatest win of her tennis career to date on Monday, defeating Elena Rybakina in the Madrid Open fourth round.
Potapova, 25, proved too strong for the world number two, defeating the Kazakh 7-6, 6-4 in the Manolo Santana Stadium.
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The Austrian, who has also beaten Jelena Ostapenko in the Spanish capital, will play former world number one Karolina Pliskova in the Madrid Open quarter-finals.
Potapova’s victory against Rybakina was significant in more than one respect, as she made tennis history upon triumphing in the Caja Magica.
Anastasia Potapova is the first WTA lucky loser to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals
Anastasia Potapova exited the Madrid Open in the qualifying rounds.
The Austrian defeated Teodora Kostovic, but then lost to compatriot Sinja Kraus, 2-6, 7-6, 3-6.
Anastasia Potapova’s run in Madrid
- Qualifying round one: defeated Teodora Kostovic 6-4, 7-5
- Qualifying round two: lost to Sinja Kraus, 2-6, 7-6, 3-6
- Main draw round one: beat Shuai Zhang 6-3, 6-1
- Round two: beat Jelena Ostapenko 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
- Round three: beat Elena Rybakina 7-6, 6-4
- Quarter-finals: Leylah Fernandez
However, following a withdrawal from the main draw, Potapova was handed a spot in the main draw as a ‘lucky loser.’
Potapova has now become the first WTA player to reach the Madrid Open quarter-finals as a lucky loser.
Potapova has joined four ATP lucky losers who have reached the Madrid Open quarter-finals in tournament history.
Borna Coric was the first to do so in 2017, beating Mischa Zverev, Pierre Hugues Herbert and Andy Murray on his way to the last eight.
In 2023, two German players reached the quarter-finals as lucky losers: Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier.
Canada’s Gabriel Diallo is the last male player to achieve the feat, doing so at the 2025 event.
Madrid Open lucky loser quarter-finalists
- 2017 – Borna Coric
- 2023 – Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier
- 2025 – Gabriel Diallo
- 2026 – Anastasia Potapova
Anastasia Potapova reacts to beating Elena Rybakina
“I’m very happy. I got my second chance during this tournament and I think I’m using it pretty good,” Potapova said, as per the Tennis Channel.
“As I said, I’m just enjoying being here because it’s very rare when you get a second chance in the same tournament.
“It’s just enjoyment and excitement, what more can I say?”
When asked how victory over Rybakina would affect her confidence, the Austrian added: “It’s such a big booster. She’s Australian Open champion, she’s No.2, she’s one of the best right now.
“Of course I’m feeling grateful for this win, but also I don’t want to stop at this win. I want to keep improving and maybe get closer to these girls in the meantime.”
