Hailey Baptiste advanced to the Madrid Open semi-finals on Tuesday after stunning world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
The American, ranked 30th in the Spanish capital, held her nerve to defeat Sabalenka 2-6, 6-2, 7-6.
Baptiste has now emulated an American feat achieved by Serena Williams: beating a number one-ranked player at the Madrid Open.
Sabalenka is OUT in Madrid! How would you rate the Belarusian’s performance out of 10? 🤔
It really was a stunning performance by Baptiste, who saved six match points before securing victory in the Caja Magica.
Following the contest, Baptiste discussed her thought process while match point down.
Hailey Baptiste’s thought process while match point down
Baptiste deserves great credit for the way she maintained her composure throughout Tuesday’s contest, especially when facing multiple match points.
The American was brave in those moments, as demonstrated by her serving and volleying when match point down to her opponent.
“I mean, just to play one more point, make one more ball, and make sure that I’m making her earn that point,” Baptiste said of her attitude when facing match points.
“If she was going to win it, she was going to have to earn it. I knew that she obviously was feeling a little nervous too. She made a few unforced errors, which is normal.
“I wanted to make sure that I was very solid and, yeah, just really had the mindset of making her earn those points.
How many Grand Slams will Aryna Sabalenka win this year?
She looks unstoppable right now!
One reporter then asked Baptiste: “You were solid on those match points, but you were also pretty brave; you hit some big shots in big moments, you came to the net. Is that part of the plan going through your head when you’re going into those points?”
Baptiste responded: “The plan kind of comes to my head when I get to the line sometimes [laughing].
Madrid Open semi-finals
- Hailey Baptiste vs Mirra Andreeva
- Linda Noskova / Marta Kostyuk vs Karolina Pliskova / Anastasia Potapova
“That was what my brain was telling me to do, so that’s what I did. And it worked. Doesn’t always work, but in that moment it did. I was really happy with that.
“I think it was an uncomfortable situation for her, me serving and volleying and doing, hitting a dropshot, I think, in maybe one of the match points I did. So, yeah, I mean, it’s not the easiest position to put her in, which is kind of the plan.”
Baptiste will play Mirra Andreeva in the Madrid Open semi-finals.
The American has played Andreeva once before on the WTA Tour, losing to the Russian in the 2025 Wimbledon Championships.
Hailey Baptiste makes WTA history
As per OptaAce, Hailey Baptiste is the second player to reach her maiden WTA level clay court semi-final at the Madrid Open.
Louisa Chirico, another American, was the first to do so at the 2016 event.
That year, Chirico defeated Monica Niculescu and Ana Ivanovic, before receiving a walkover against Victoria Azarenka.
She then defeated Daria Saville, before losing to Dominika Cibulkova in the semi-finals.
“Well, first of all, I want to give credit to her because she played very well today,” Chirico said while speaking to reporters after the match.
“You know, regardless of the outcome, I think there were a couple things I could have taken care of a little bit better.
“She really played well today and deserved to win.”
Simona Halep went on to win the event, beating Cibulkova 6-2, 6-4 in the final.
