Madrid, April 27, 2026 Potapova first Lucky Loser to reach Madrid Open last 16
Anastasia Potapova became the first player in Madrid Open history to reach the round of 16 as a Lucky Loser after defeating 21st-seeded Jelena Ostapenko in a thrilling three-set match late Sunday.
Historic Breakthrough in Madrid
The 25-year-old Russian-born player, who recently switched her nationality to Austria, staged a remarkable comeback against Ostapenko, winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a match that lasted over two hours. Potapova’s victory marks the first time a Lucky Loser has advanced to the fourth round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid.
Potapova had initially failed to qualify for the main draw after losing to Sinja Kraus in the second qualifying round. However, she received a reprieve when a seeded player withdrew, granting her a spot as a Lucky Loser. She then benefited from a first-round bye before defeating China’s Zhang Shuai 6-3, 6-1 to set up the clash with Ostapenko.
Dramatic Comeback Against Ostapenko
The match against Ostapenko was a rollercoaster, with Potapova fighting back after dropping the first set. The second set saw two breaks of serve each before Potapova secured a crucial break to level the match at 6-4.
The decisive third set was even more dramatic. Potapova raced to a 3-0 lead but then lost four consecutive games to trail 3-4. She clawed her way back with a rebreak to make it 4-4, then saved a break point with an ace to hold serve for 5-4. She sealed the victory on her first match point with a spectacular return, leaving Ostapenko stranded.