American qualifier saves six match points in epic three-set quarter-final upset
Madrid
American Hailey Baptiste produced one of the biggest upsets of the season, ending the title defence of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with a dramatic 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) victory in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.
The 24-year-old saved five match points in a tense deciding set and another in the tie-break to halt Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak and secure her first-ever WTA 1000 semi-final appearance.
Sabalenka, a three-time Madrid champion and dominant force on the clay courts in recent seasons, looked in control early after taking the opening set comfortably. However, Baptiste responded with fearless aggression, unleashing powerful serves and flat groundstrokes to swing momentum.
The American finished with 12 aces and 10 double faults in a high-risk, high-reward performance that repeatedly pushed Sabalenka deep behind the baseline. Her boldest moment came when she saved a match point with a daring serve-and-volley approach, turning the contest on its head.
The final set became a test of nerve as both players traded breaks before Baptiste held firm in the tie-break, sealing the victory after two hours and 30 minutes of intense battle.
The defeat marked only Sabalenka’s second loss of the year and her first since the Australian Open final, underlining the scale of Baptiste’s breakthrough win.
Next up for Baptiste is ninth seed Mirra Andreeva, who advanced to her maiden Madrid semi-final with a 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 win over Canada’s Leylah Fernandez. The 18-year-old Russian, celebrating an early birthday milestone, continues her impressive clay-court form this season.
Elsewhere in the draw, top players continued their push towards the latter stages, with intense three-set battles and late-night finishes drawing attention to scheduling concerns at the tournament.
Baptiste’s stunning victory has now reshaped the women’s draw in Madrid, opening up the path to a wide-open semi-final lineup as the American prepares for the biggest match of her career.
