Anastasia Potapova keeps miracle run

Anastasia Potapova’s Madrid Open run kept going Tuesday when the lucky loser beat Elena Rybakina 7-6(8), 6-4 to reach the quarterfinals. (wtatennis.com) The match finished in the early hours after a late-night fourth-round slot in Madrid, and Potapova closed it in straight sets against the world No. 2. (wtatennis.com) Potapova was not supposed to be in the main draw at all. The WTA said she got into the event on 35 minutes’ notice after Madison Keys withdrew before their scheduled second-round match. (wtatennis.com) That last-minute opening turned into four wins in Madrid, capped by a Top 5 upset over Rybakina. The WTA said it was Potapova’s fourth career victory over a Top 5 player. (wtatennis.com) The result also put Potapova into a quarterfinal against Karolina Pliskova, according to the WTA’s Wednesday preview. (wtatennis.com) Madrid’s own tournament site lists the women’s event running from April 20 to May 3 at Caja Magica, with quarterfinal play scheduled this week. (mutuamadridopen.com 1) (mutuamadridopen.com 2) Potapova’s place in the last eight made her the first lucky loser to reach the Madrid Open quarterfinals since the tournament began in 2009, according to WTA coverage cited across match reports. (wtatennis.com) (sports.yahoo.com) A run that started with a withdrawal and a 35-minute scramble is now one match from the semifinals. (wtatennis.com 1) (wtatennis.com 2)