Anastasia Potapova makes history at Madrid Open after dramatic win over Karolina Pliskova

Anastasia Potapova has made history at the Madrid Open by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal.

Potapova defeated Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 in a match lasting one hour and 54 minutes.

The world number 56 looked set for a straight sets victory after leading 6-1, 5-3 and holding three match points in the second set.

However Pliskova forced a decider before Potapova rallied from 3-1 down, winning five consecutive games to secure the match.

Potapova’s run has included victories over top players, including former world number ones and Grand Slam champions such as Jelena Ostapenko and Elena Rybakina.

Her progress marks a significant milestone, with Potapova becoming the first Austrian representative to reach a WTA 1000 or Tier I semifinal since 2007.

The 25-year-old will now face either Linda Noskova or Marta Kostyuk as she looks to continue her breakthrough performance in Madrid.