Andy Murray’s former coach delivers his verdict on Hailey Baptiste’s performance vs Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid

Add as preferred source on Google

Hailey Baptiste defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6, in the Madrid Open quarter-finals.

The American saved six match points as she became just the second player to beat Sabalenka this year.

Sabalenka is OUT in Madrid! How would you rate the Belarusian’s performance out of 10? 🤔

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Andy Murray’s former coach, Miles Maclagan, was keen to share his thoughts on Baptiste’s performance.

Miles Maclagan says Hailey Baptiste was ‘so impressive’ against Aryna Sabalenka

During Sky Sports’ Madrid Open coverage, Maclagan delivered his verdict on the 24-year-old’s upset win.

“She was so impressive, she finished with a big smile on her face, but she played most of the match with a smile on her face as well, really appreciated the moment,” said Maclagan.

Hailey Baptiste vs Aryna Sabalenka – Match stats

“Six match points, [Aryna] Sabalenka looked as though maybe she had the measure of her, a break up in that third set. But [Hailey] Baptiste just kept coming, we thought we would need to see the best of her to have a chance, and that’s pretty much what we got.

“She was so explosive, so athletic, displaying all of those skills.

“And boy did she get the ultimate reward for it at the end.”

Baptiste saved six match points as she defeated a world number one for the first time in her professional career.

The win was her fourth against a top-10 opponent, her third this year, and her second this week.

Hailey Baptiste’s top-10 wins

• 2024 Wuhan Open 2R [WIN] vs #10 Barbora Krejcikova, 6-3, 7-5
• 2026 Miami Open 3R [WIN] vs #8 Elina Svitolina, 6-3, 7-5
• 2026 Madrid Open 2R [WIN] vs #9 Jasmine Paolini, 7-5, 6-3
• 2026 Madrid Open QF [WIN] vs #1 Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6

Playing the best tennis of her career, Baptiste now sits inside the top-30 of the ‘Live WTA Rankings’.

Live WTA Rankings

If she wins the title in Madrid, she will break into the top 15, a remarkable achievement for someone who was ranked outside the top 60 at the beginning of the year.

Baptiste has every chance of winning the title, but who stands in her way?

Hailey Baptiste’s route to the Madrid Open title

The American will return to take on Russia’s Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals.

They have met once before, at Wimbledon in 2025.

There, Andreeva defeated Baptiste in straight sets, 6-1, 6-3.

Baptiste will be looking for revenge in the Spanish capital, as she aims to reach her first WTA final.

There, she would meet either Anastasia Potapova, Marta Kostyuk, or Linda Noskova.

Potapova beat Karolina Pliskova in the earlier quarter-final, while Kostyuk and Noskova are set to face off later on Wednesday evening.

Baptiste is arguably the least-experienced player remaining in the draw, but she will be feeling confident, having stunned the world number one in the previous round.

2026 Madrid Open contenders compared

Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in Madrid…

Baptiste will return to play Andreeva in the semi-finals on Thursday, April 30.