Anastasia Potapova produced a big win in Madrid on Monday night as she stunned world number two Elena Rybakina 7-6(8) 6-4 in 1 hour and 53 minutes.
The Austrian had to save set point in the opening set and battled from a break down in the second set to earn one of the biggest wins of her career so far.
It had been a tough week for Rybakina who was hoping to build on her Stuttgart title but had to battle through every match this week so far.
As for Potapova it was a big win in her season but isn’t taking her foot off the gas as of yet and wants to keep her run in Spain going, “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.”
The fact that Potapova is referring to is that she is a lucky loser in Madrid having lost in qualifying in Spain to Sinja Kraus.
However, Potapova is now into the quarter-finals in Madrid and the first lucky loser to reach the last eight in Madrid since its inception in 2009.
Next up for Potapova is former world number one Karolina Pliskova who defeated Solano Sierra in the last 16.
WTA Madrid Quarter-Final Line-Up
Aryna Sabalenka v Hailey Baptiste
Mirra Andreeva v Leylah Fernandez
Linda Noskova v Marta Kostyuk
Karolina Pliskova v Anastasia Potapova
