Lucky loser Anastasia Potapova makes history in Madrid with semi-final run

[p]The Russian-born Austrian, who lost ‌in qualifying last week, has capitalised on her ‌unexpected main draw entry, stunning former world number ‌one [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pliskova-karolina/xGn9KNfO/"]Pliskova[/a] in a [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/tennis/pliskova-ka-xGn9KNfO/potapova-a-x81l09qG/?mid=UHj5zZzS"]roller-coaster clash[/a] despite squandering three match points.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/potapova-anastasia/x81l09qG/"]Potapova[/a]'s run has included impressive victories ‌over former French Open champion [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ostapenko-jelena/Gloq9MUN/"]Jelena ⁠Ostapenko[/a] and world ‌number two [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rybakina-elena/UDzElXdm/"]Elena Rybakina[/a].[/p][p]When asked if she thought she ​would be in the final four after that qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova ​said: [b]"No, I wouldn't, for any money and anything.[/b][/p][p]"That's what makes our sport beautiful. I was ⁠given a second ​chance and now I'm here.[/p][p][b]"I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that could happen to me in my life at the moment."[/b][/p][embed guid="f4a3b083-2c43-484d-9e0d-98b969022935" url="https://x.com/WTA/status/2049474474383114752" social-type="twitter" /][p]After cruising through the ‌opening set, Potapova appeared destined for a straightforward victory when she earned three match points in the second.[/p][p]But Pliskova clawed back to force a tiebreak and level the match.[/p][p]Potapova trailed 3-1 in the decider, only to reel off five consecutive games and seal victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her ‌knees.[/p][p][b]"I was given a few match points in ​the second set on serve. I couldn't ‌manage my nerves at the time, I know that,"[/b] Potapova said.[/p][p][b]"But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep using them."[/b][/p][p]Potapova will face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kostyuk-marta/8CZqQdSa/"]⁠Marta Kostyuk[/a] in the ‌semi-finals.[/p]