SAN DIEGO (AP) — Anastasia Potapova stunned seventh-ranked Ons Jabeur 6-4, 7-6 (4) on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Cymbiotika San Diego Open.
It was the fourth time this year the 27th-ranked Potapova beat a player ranked in the Top 10.
"I think it was my patience, just to stay focused as much as I could because Ons is very tough to play," the 22-year-old Russian player said. "She's truly one of the best in the world. With her style, it's very uncomfortable for myself, but I'm really happy and proud to get this win."
Jabeur, from Tunisia, was the top seed. She landed just 39 of 85 first-serves, had nine double-faults and could never really find any rhythm. But Potapova said it was still difficult to close out the three-time Grand Slam finalist.
"Tell me about how popular she is — my mother, she loves her so much," Potapova said. "Every time I talk to my mom on FaceTime with Ons around, she's like, ‘Call Ons! She's my best player!' They're actually pretty good friends. I don't know if she's happy that I won today."