Baptiste stuns Sabalenka to reach Madrid semis

MADRID: Hailey Baptiste produced a remarkable comeback to upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open, ending the Belarusian’s 15-match winning streak.

The 24-year-old American showcased an inventive blend of tactics—mixing net approaches, changes of pace and bold serve-and-volley play—to pull Sabalenka out of her comfort zone on clay.

Baptiste saved six match points in a dramatic decider to seal one of the biggest wins of her career.

With the French Open approaching, Baptiste’s performance highlighted how variety can disrupt even the most powerful players on slower surfaces.