“I don’t set myself limits”, Rebeka Masarova ambitiously declared yesterday in the mixed zone after her win over Cristina Bucsa. She was not about to rest on her laurels, her sights were set high, and today she proved she had every right to do so when she took to Stadium 3 of the Caja Mágica.

Masarova beat Croatian player Donna Vekic in two sets (6-1, 7-6) to become one of the home favourites by producing the upset of the day and the biggest win of her career. “Super happy, I wouldn’t have said so when I started. It’s important to believe you can win every match and that’s how I prepared for this one”, said the Spaniard.

She was facing a huge challenge in her home capital. With the crowd behind her throughout, Rebeka booked her passage to the third round of the Mutua Madrid Open for the first time, making this her best performance in a tournament of this category.

It was a special victory that will have a significant impact on her career, and it will have tasted all the sweeter in front of her home fans. “Having the crowd behind me was very special and it gave me a massive boost”.

With today’s victory, the Spaniard with Swiss roots has reached a significant milestone in her career. Masarova has guaranteed herself a place among the world’s top 70 and claimed her first win over a member of the top 25.

“It’s so exciting to see that you’re on the up, it’s a result of your hard work and your results”, explained Rebeka, without getting ahead of herself. “During tournaments, I don’t think about that until I’m finished”.

Rebeka continues to dream without restraint, however aware she is of the fact that she now has a mountain to climb. Her next opponent will be Greek Top 10 player Maria Sakkari, and they don’t come much tougher.

“I can’t wait for the match, I don’t set myself limits, even though she’s a very good player and I’ll have to play my best tennis”.