The Austrian has enjoyed an upturn in form over the past few weeks. She reached the final of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, her first time as an Austrian. She put in a blinding performance against the eventual champion Mirra Andreeva but was unable to get the job done.
Fortunately, there was that benefited the 25-year-old. Former Australian Open champion Madison Keys pulled out of her second round clash just hours beforehand due to illness, allowing Potapova to step in and compete. She has taken this chance to the fullest, defeating one of the best players in the world with one more win confirming a maiden semi-final at this level.
The stars have aligned for Potapova after Rybakina win
Despite the late call-up, only four games were dropped against Shuai Zhang in a comfortable win. She fought back from a set deficit against Jelena Ostapenko before being handed with the daunting task of clashing versus the reigning Australian Open champion Rybakina.
Rybakina broke at a crucial time, allowing her to serve for the set. What is her strongest weapon in her arsenal was comprehensively dismantled by Potapova, breaking to love to keep the set alive. In the tiebreak, both players had chances to win the set. At the third time of asking, the lucky loser secured a big advantage.
Rybakina soon got back on top, eventually breaking to move 3-2 ahead in the second set. At 4-2 to the good, not many tennis fans would have guessed that she would not clinch anymore games in this set. This would become reality. Potapova got the set back on serve before going 0-40 ahead, creating two match points on the Rybakina serve. She clinched the second one and confirmed a seismic victory in Madrid.
Anastasia Potapova is in a fourth WTA 1000 quarterfinal
“She’s number two. She’s one of the best right now. Of course I’m feeling grateful for this win, but I don’t want to stop,” Potapova told the WTA website. I want to keep improving and maybe get closer to these girls in the meantime. I got my second chance during this tournament, and I think I’m using it pretty (well). I’m just enjoying being here.”
For Potapova, every match is just a bonus that she will be looking to capitalise on. “I got my second chance during this tournament, and I think I’m using it pretty (well),” Potapova said in her on-court interview. “I’m just enjoying being here.”