Hailey Baptiste handed World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka her second loss of the 2026 tennis season in a three set thriller at the Mutua Madrid Open quarterfinals.
Baptiste saved six match points en route to her first win over Sabalenka.
After the match, Sabalenka shared her thoughts. She showed great composure in what must have been a frustrating loss.
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Sabalenka said: âWell doneâ
Her two word response was a simple âwell doneâ to Baptiste.
She went on to say the difference between their match at the Miami Open last month and the Madrid Open match was that she held her serve in Miami and did not give Baptiste chances.
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Whatâs next for Sabalenka
Sabalenka did not play poorly. Her unforced errors were more of a factor of how well Baptiste played. Baptiste mixed up her shots well and kept the World No. 1 on guard.
It is safe to say that she is already in great clay court form as she heads to Rome next week and to Roland Garros next month.
Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus hits a forehand against Coco Gauff of the United States in the final of the womenâs singles at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
Sabalenka is known for her stellar hardcourt play especially in the Grand Slams, but she was the 2025 French Open finalist so her clay court game is excellent also.
It may be to her benefit to get out of Madrid where sickness has been rampid. She has played a lot of tennis this year, getting to the Australian Open finals and winning the Sunshine Double. A little breather in a packed European clay schedule before the French Open could be good.
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