Aryna Sabalenka suffered a shock defeat to Hailey Baptiste in the Madrid Open quarterfinals.
Sabalenka had only lost to Elena Rybakina prior to the Madrid Open this year, and was on a 15-match winning streak after winning titles in Indian Wells and Miami.
The world number one was tested in her previous match, where Sabalenka fought back to beat Naomi Osaka, but she was still on track to win a record fourth Madrid Open title.
Sabalenka had beaten Baptiste at the Miami Open earlier this year, but she was unable to defeat the American again in Madrid, despite having six match points.
Aryna Sabalenka says she rushed some points against Hailey Baptiste
Sabalenka won the first set of the match against Baptiste, but was ultimately beaten 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) in a thrilling encounter on the Manolo Santana Stadium in Madrid.
When reflecting on the defeat in her post-match press conference, Sabalenka was full of praise for Baptiste, but admitted that she should perhaps have been more patient in the third set.
“Yeah, it was a tough match. She played great. I played great,” said Sabalenka. “I think I had some opportunities in the third set. I felt like I was maybe a little bit rushing the point over there. But it’s okay, sometimes I guess you have to learn, take the bad stuff from this week and move on.”
Sabalenka added, “I think she played great points. I mean, I had some opportunities, didn’t use them. She played really brave tennis I feel like on those match points.”
How would you now rate Aryna Sabalenka’s chances of winning the French Open on a scale of 1-10?
The world number one was then asked a follow-up question about what she thinks Baptiste did differently against her in Madrid compared to Miami, where Sabalenka won in straight sets.
“I feel like in Miami I didn’t give her much opportunities,” answered Sabalenka. “She couldn’t break my serve, I believe.
“Here, the first game, second set, I just double faulted twice out of nowhere. It felt like that gave her belief. After that, she just started playing more aggressively. She, as I said, she was playing brave tennis. What can I say? Well done.”
When did Aryna Sabalenka last lose after having match points?
Sabalenka losing any match is rare nowadays, but particularly after she has had match points.
The last time that Sabalenka lost when having match points was also in Madrid, but this was in the 2024 final against Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek beat Sabalenka 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) to win her first Madrid Open title after saving three championship points.
Who will be ranked higher by the end of 2026 – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
This Madrid Open final between Swiatek and Sabalenka was actually voted as the WTA ‘Match of the Year’ in 2024.
Sabalenka would go on to reach the Italian Open final after having match points against Swiatek, and she will now look to win her first title in Rome this year.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
