Anastasia Potapova entered Madri’s WTA 1000 as a lucky loser. The 23-year-old player beat world number 2 Elena Rybakina 7/6 (10-8) and 6/4 this Monday, April 27th. The game lasted 1h53 and closed the night’s schedule on Spanish clay. Potapova reaches the quarterfinals with renewed confidence.
The Austrian took advantage of her second chance in the bracket. Ela had entered after Madison Keys withdrew. The result marks Potapova’s second victory in three matches against Rybakina. It’s also her eighth career win against a top 10 player.
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Potapova dominates tie-break and closes first set
The first set had two breaks on each side. Potapova opened 3/1, but Rybakina responded with four games in a row and led 5/3. The Kazakh did not confirm the serve for the set. In the tie-break, Potapova was always ahead. Ela closed at 10-8 after 1h04 of play.
The lucky-loser ended the set with 12 winners against 9 for her opponent. Erros unforced were 29 to 33. The intense pace marked the match from the beginning.
Rybakina wobbles in the second set and concedes victory
Rybakina started better in the second set. Ela led by 4/2. Number 2 in the ranking, however, suffered fluctuations in her serve. Potapova equalized at 4/4 and pressed late. The decisive break came in the last game. The score closed at 6/4.
In the entire set, Potapova had 24 winners against 22. Erros unforced winners were 43 to 56. The match recorded seven service breaks, four of them for the winner. Foram played 16 break-points in total.
- Potapova scored more winners in the first set (12 to 9)
- Rybakina led 5/3 in the first set but lost the tie-break
- Sete breaks serve throughout the match
- Potapova converted four of the break opportunities
- Segunda victory for the Austrian against Rybakina in her career
Próxima opponent is Karolina Pliskova
Potapova faces Czech Karolina Pliskova in the quarterfinals. The former world number 1, currently ranked 197th, has recovered from a serious injury to her left foot. Pliskova won the only previous duel between them, in Doha, two seasons ago.
The lucky-loser celebrated the result. “I’m very happy. Tive got a second chance at this tournament and I think I’m making the most of it,” she said after the game. Potapova highlighted the confidence gained from the victory over an Grand Slam champion.
Rybakina leaves Madri without a title on clay
Elena Rybakina was coming off two long games. Ela outperformed Elena Ruse on debut and Qinwen Zheng on Sunday. The Kazakh continues without titles on Madrid clay. Sua’s best campaign in the tournament remains the 2024 semifinal.
The world number 2 spent more than an hour on the court in the first rounds. Wear may have weighed against the consistency of Potapova, who maintained a high level throughout the match.
Kostyuk advances with ninth straight victory
Marta Kostyuk also secured a place in the quarterfinals. The Ukrainian, 23rd in the ranking, beat the American Caty McNally 6/2 and 6/3. It is her ninth consecutive victory, coming from the title in Rouen and a good performance in Billie Jean King Cup.
Kostyuk had already beaten McNally 12 days ago. Ela repeats the 2025 campaign in Madri. Nas in the quarterfinals, faces the Czech Linda Noskova, 13th in the world. The confrontation is unprecedented on the circuit. Noskova eliminated Coco Gauff in the previous round.
Madri’s WTA 1000 continues with favorites alternating results. Potapova and Kostyuk show that Spanish clay holds surprises even in the middle of the week.