The North American Hailey Baptiste exposed weaknesses in Aryna Sabalenka’s game on clay by mixing climbs to the net with variations in pace, saving six match points before eliminate the world number 1 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Openon Tuesday (28).
The 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) victory ended one for Sabalenka. bet on creative tennis under extreme pressure — especially with the serve and volley strategy — to take the opponent out of her comfort zone.
Starting on May 24th, the result serves as a warning: tactical variety can neutralize power on slow courts.
“I played against her and it was a balanced game… I already had a better idea of how to face her and the adjustments I needed to make,” said Baptiste.
Despite prior preparation, the American stated that decisions at decisive moments came from instinct. “The plan comes into my head when I’m on the line. That’s what my brain told me to do… And it worked. It doesn’t always work, but in that moment it worked.”
Baptiste highlighted that he sought to take Sabalenka out of her comfort zone: “It was an uncomfortable situation for her, with my serve and volley, a little left on one of the match points. It’s not the easiest position to put her in — and that was the plan”.
Sabalenka, who will continue her preparation in Rome aiming to improve on last year’s runner-up finish at Roland Garros, recognized her opponent’s merit.
“She played with great courage on those match points”, said the Belarusian, aged 27. “In Miami, I didn’t give many opportunities… Here, in the first game of the second set, I committed two double faults out of nowhere. This gave her confidence, and she started to play aggressively. What can I say? Congratulations”.
Following the tournament, Baptiste will face Mirra Andreeva.
