MADRID – A disappointing day for Czech tennis at the Mutua Madrid Open saw Linda Nosková, Karolína Plíšková, and Jiří Lehečka all fall in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The defeats mark the conclude of Czech hopes for a strong showing in the Spanish capital, a tournament that had offered promise for the nation’s top players.
Nosková’s run came to an end against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who continued her impressive form with a 7-6 (1), 6-0 victory. The 26th-seeded Kostyuk demonstrated dominance in the tiebreak of the first set, winning it decisively 7-1, and then completely overwhelmed Nosková in the second, delivering a shutout set. Kostyuk created 23 break point opportunities throughout the match, converting seven of them.
The match was a grueling contest, particularly in the first set, where Nosková faced a barrage of break points – a total of 19 – successfully defending 15 of them. Despite her resilience, she couldn’t withstand Kostyuk’s relentless pressure. Kostyuk’s victory extends her winning streak to 10 matches and maintains her undefeated record on clay courts this season.
Kostyuk will now face Anastasia Potapova in the semifinals. Potapova, a lucky loser who recently switched her national allegiance from Russia to Austria, secured her spot with a hard-fought 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3 win over former world number one Karolína Plíšková. This marks Potapova’s first WTA 1000 semi-final appearance.
Plíšková had enjoyed a resurgence in Madrid, defeating opponents such as Sinja Kraus, Maria Sakkari, Elise Mertens, and Solana Sierra to reach the quarterfinal stage. However, Potapova proved too strong, overcoming Plíšková in a three-set battle 6-1, 6-7, 6-3. The match was marked by dramatic swings in momentum, with Plíšková saving match points in the second set before ultimately succumbing to Potapova’s power.
The Ukrainian Kostyuk, however, has a complex relationship with shaking hands with players who previously represented Russia, given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. She indicated she would only shake hands with Daria Kasatkina, citing Kasatkina’s outspoken opposition to the war. “The only person that I shake hands with is Daria Kasatkina, since she didn’t just change her passport, she likewise openly said that she doesn’t support the war and all of that stuff,” Kostyuk stated. This raises questions about the interaction between Kostyuk and Potapova, given Potapova’s recent change in nationality.
Adding to the Czechs’ woes, Jiří Lehečka also suffered a quarterfinal defeat, falling to France’s Arthur Fils. Despite a competitive match, Lehečka was unable to break Fils’ serve, while losing his own serve once in each set. A high number of unforced errors – 28 in total – ultimately proved costly for the 14th-ranked Czech player.
The collective losses represent a disappointing outcome for Czech tennis at the Madrid Open. While Plíšková and Nosková had the opportunity to potentially face each other in the semifinals, both were denied that chance. Lehečka’s defeat further compounds the setback for the Czech contingent.
The tournament has seen some unexpected results, with Potapova’s run as a lucky loser being a particularly notable story. Her success highlights the depth of talent in the women’s game and the potential for upsets at the highest level of competition.
For Kostyuk, the semifinal represents a significant opportunity to continue her impressive run of form and potentially contend for the title. She will need to maintain her aggressive style of play and capitalize on her break point opportunities to overcome Potapova, who has demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure.
The Mutua Madrid Open continues with the semifinals on Thursday, April 30, 2026, featuring Kostyuk versus Potapova and other compelling matchups. Tennis fans can follow the action live on official tournament channels and major sports broadcasters.
What’s Next: The semifinals of the Mutua Madrid Open will capture place on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Marta Kostyuk will face Anastasia Potapova in one of the highly anticipated matches. Stay tuned to Archysport for continued coverage of the tournament and all the latest developments in the world of tennis.
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