Aryna Sabalenka was delivered one of her career’s worst losses by American Hailey Baptiste. The World No. 1, who was defending her title at the Madrid Open, crashed out of the tournament in the quarterfinals after wasting as many as six match points.
Baptiste, who has set up a semifinal clash against Mirra Andreeva, opened up about her career’s biggest win during her post-match interview.
Hailey Baptiste Confesses to Having ‘A Lot of Nerves’ During Madrid Open Win Against Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka, the top seed, appeared to be headed for a routine victory against 30th seed Baptiste when she won the opening set 6-2. The American, however, reciprocated the favor with a 6-2 set of her own.
It was Sabalenka who made the first move in the decider, taking a 2-0 lead, but she failed to consolidate her break, and Baptiste eventually drew level. The pair exchanged breaks yet again for a 4-4 score. At 5-4, with the American serving, Sabalenka created five match point opportunities but couldn’t capitalize.
The World No. 1 then got broken in the very next game, allowing Baptiste to serve for the match. The attempt was unsuccessful, but the latter stayed alert in the tiebreak despite initially trailing 1-4. A sixth match point also passed by for Sabalenka at 6-5, and then it was her opponent’s turn at a first match point. Without hesitation, the American capitalized on the opportunity to stage the biggest upset of her career, winning 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6).
When asked how she was feeling in her post-match interview, Hailey Baptiste said, “Incredible, honestly. Super proud of myself; super tight match, 7-6 in the third, had to fight off some match points so I’m just really happy right now.”
She exuded confidence while speaking about her level. “It just shows me where my game lies, and I’ve always believed it, and I feel like now I’m starting to put it into action and the world is seeing it as well. So, I’m very confident right now,” she said, smiling.
Hailey Baptiste after beating Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid:
“You’ve just knocked out the world #1. How are you feeling?”
Hailey: “incredible. Super proud of myself. It was super tight. 7-6 in the third. Had to fight off match points. I’m really happy right now.”
“She’s world #1… pic.twitter.com/kxaU016nnU
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 28, 2026
The 24-year-old’s journey at the Madrid Open so far has been nothing short of extraordinary. She started with a 6-1, 6-4 win against Kaitlin Quevedo and followed it by beating eighth seed Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-3.
She had a tough day at the office against 11th-seeded Belinda Bencic in the fourth round, as she squandered six match points in the second set before eventually closing out the match 6-1, 6-7(14), 6-3.
“I definitely had a lot of nerves (against Sabalenka). I had 28 chances yesterday, and I didn’t get it done,” she joked.
MORE: Frances Tiafoe Rallies Behind Hailey Baptiste As She Sets Up Aryna Sabalenka Clash in Madrid
“So I was like, ‘I’m just gonna go for it today,’ and I was able to get it on the first one. I told my team, ‘When I get my match point today, I’m gonna win the first one that I get,’ and I did it.”
Hailey Baptiste on beating Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid:
“I definitely had a lot of nerves. I had 28 chances yesterday 😂 and I didn’t get it done. I told my team, ‘When I get my match point today I’m gonna win the first one that I get’ and I did it.”
She had 6 match points in her… pic.twitter.com/6znyIgtYTL
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 28, 2026
This was Aryna Sabalenka’s only second loss in 2026 after her defeat to Elena Rybakina in the final of the Australian Open. She was on a nine-match winning streak at the event and was chasing her third straight WTA 1000 title after winning the Sunshine Double.
