Marta Kostyuk Explains Handshake Decision After Madrid Open Semifinal vs. Anastasia Potapova

Apparently, Potapova wasn’t on that list, and hence, Kostyuk didn’t bother about the goodwill handshake after the match.

Pushing their previous scoring history to 3-2 with this win, Kostyuk bypassed Potapova to reach the final round. But all the while, her first WTA 1000 Final entry came without a handshake with this Russian rival.

The mental battle was also visible in the game. Kostyuk started strong, taking advantage of Potapova’s 21 unforced errors to win the first set 6-2. While her rhythm broke in the second set, the 23-year-old soon fired back.

Closing out the game with a 6-1 third-set victory, Kostyuk went ahead of Potapova. But before entering the match, she expressed her true feelings about facing the Russian.

Marta Kostyuk on Facing Anastasia Potapova

Kostyuk started the year by losing to the top-ranked players. The list includes Aryna Sabalenka in the Brisbane final, then back-to-back Indian Wells and Miami third-round losses to Elena Rybakina. But she was particularly happy to face Potapova.

“Tomorrow will be different because I’m not going into the match as an underdog. It’s a good feeling, but it also brings pressure,” she admitted. “When you play those top players, it’s different; they’re confident, they’ve been there a long time, and you have to dig a lot.”

Compared to the rest, Potapova entered the event as a lucky loser. She received a last-minute place in the main draw after Madison Keys withdrew. So, facing her probably came with fewer challenges.