Sinner into Madrid Open semis, Potapova beats Pliskova

　　MADRID, April 29 (Xinhua) -- World No. 1 Jannik Sinner reached his first semifinal at the Mutua Madrid Open on Wednesday with a 6-2, 7-6 (0) win over Rafael Jodar.

　　Madrid-born Jodar has been one of the surprise packages of the tournament after his semifinal run at the recent Conde de Godo (Barcelona Open), and he enjoyed strong home support at the Caja Magica.

　　He created seven break points against Sinner, but the Italian saved them all in a one-hour, 55-minute victory that extended his winning streak to 21 matches.

　　Later in another men's quarterfinal, France's Arthur Fils beat Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4 to set up a semifinal against Sinner.

　　On women's part, Anastasia Potapova beat former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3, while 26th seed Marta Kostyuk ousted 13th-seeded Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic in straight sets, 7-6 (1), 6-0. Kostyuk will face Potapova in the semifinals.

　　Potapova admitted she struggled mentally after failing to serve out the second set at 6-5.

　　"I was mentally out at the beginning of the third set. I didn't believe in myself, but then my boyfriend appeared at just the right moment," she said, referring to ATP player Tallon Griekspoor. "He saved me by telling me I could do it and that we were in this together. It was more his work than mine." ■