Hailey Baptiste Reveals Strategy She Used to Upset Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid After Saving 6 Match Points

Hailey Baptiste, after stunning Aryna Sabalenka, has scheduled her Madrid Open semifinal match against Mirra Andreeva.

Hailey Baptiste Reveals Strategy She Used to Upset Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid After Saving 6 Match Points

Aryna Sabalenka, Hailey Baptiste (Image via CNN Brasil, China Daily HK)

In Short
  • Hailey Baptiste upset Aryna Sabalenka in the Madrid Open quarterfinals, marking her first top 5 win.
  • Baptiste saved six match points during the match and executed a strategy to disrupt Sabalenka's rhythm.
  • She will face Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals, seeking her first singles title against a seasoned opponent.

Aryna Sabalenka was the heavy favorite to defend her Madrid Open title. This year, whenever she played a tournament, her run ended only after reaching the final, whether as a winner or as a runner-up.

She defended her title in Brisbane, lost to Elena Rybakina at the Australian Open, and skipped the two WTA 1000s in the Middle East Swing before completing the Sunshine Double. After skipping the Stuttgart Open, Sabalenka arrived in Madrid to defend her title.

After a tough fourth-round match against fellow four-time Grand Slam singles champion Naomi Osaka, the World No.1 fell in the quarterfinals against Hailey Baptiste with a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) scoreline in two hours and 30 minutes on Tuesday (April 28). It was the American player’s first top 5 win.

Initially, I wanted to make her uncomfortable in any way possible. I tried using drop shots, short slices, heavier shots… I didn’t want to give her rhythm because that’s something that favors her and where she excels. At the beginning, I struggled to find my feel and adapt, but once I did, I think I executed the game plan very well, and she didn’t feel comfortable.

Hailey Baptiste said at the press conference

The 24-year-old, who will be playing the Madrid Open semifinal for the first time, snapped Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak. En route to the victory, Baptiste saved six match points.

When facing those match points, I just wanted to make sure she had to play them out, that I didn’t give her anything for free. On a couple of occasions, I did serve and volley. I think that is very uncomfortable to face, especially in crucial moments when you’re trying to close out a match. I wouldn’t like it if someone did that to me. That was the idea. It has definitely been a very crazy match.

Hailey Baptiste added

The win helped Baptiste become the second American to defeat a World No.1 in Madrid, following Serena Williams‘ win over Victoria Azarenka in the 2012 final. Sabalenka was broken six times (the most by an opponent this season).

Also, she faced 12 aces, which was the most an opponent hit against her in a single clay-court match. Before this match, they met for the first time this year’s Miami Open quarterfinals, which Sabalenka won in straight sets.

Hailey Baptiste will next be locking horns with Mirra Andreeva

Hailey Baptiste, who reached a WTA 1000 singles semifinal for the first time, will next be locking horns with another WTA 1000 champion. In the last four, she will be up against Mirra Andreeva. They will be facing each other for the second time in a singles match following the 2025 Wimbledon third round, which ended in the Russian ace’s favor.

Mirra Andreeva (2)
Mirra Andreeva (Image via X/HQ pics)

She’s another player I’ve already played against and lost to. I guess it’s a sort of rematch. My intention is to step back onto the court, play my game again, and try to secure another victory.

Hailey Baptiste said at the press conference

Prior to scheduling her match against Baptiste, Andreeva beat 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. The couple of WTA 1000 titles that the 18-year-old lifted were in last year’s Dubai Tennis Championships and the Indian Wells Open by defeating Clara Tauson and Aryna Sabalenka, respectively.

While Baptiste is chasing her first singles title, Andreeva has already played six singles finals, winning five titles. In Madrid before this year, she played two quarterfinals (the previous two seasons). She has already lifted two titles this year. After defeating Victoria Mboko in the Adelaide International final, Andreeva went past Anastasia Potapova in the Linz Open final.

Also read: Alexander Zverev’s Mystery Injury Admission Raises Concerns Ahead of Madrid Open 4th Round