Hailey Baptiste recorded her greatest victory to date on Tuesday evening, defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka at the Madrid Open.
Baptiste, the 30th seed, saved six match points before beating Sabalenka 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 in the Spanish capital.
Following her astonishing victory, the American will play Mirra Andreeva in the Madrid Open semi-finals.
Jim Courier, the former world number one and two-time Australian Open champion, has offered his thoughts on Baptiste’s landmark victory in the Caja Magica.
Jim Courier loved Hailey Baptiste’s reaction after beating Aryna Sabalenka
Jason Goodall, the former world number 240 and current Tennis Channel commentator, began the post-match discussions by commenting on Baptiste’s achievement and the ‘drama’ of the contest in Madrid.
“How about beating the world number one, the dominant player over the course of the last three years, and having to save six match points no less throughout the course of it,” Goodall said on the Tennis Channel.
Sabalenka is OUT in Madrid! How would you rate the Belarusian’s performance out of 10? 🤔
“So much drama in that deciding set. Going up the early break 4-3 in the third and then getting a little nervous, a little bit of a wobble and falling behind 5-4.
“And then saving all those matches match points in such dramatic fashion – so much heart, Jim.”
Jim Courier, a two-time French Open champion, also weighed in on Baptiste’s triumph, praising the American’s reaction after clinching victory.
Baptiste remained stoic throughout Tuesday’s contest. However, upon sealing victory, the American turned to her box and let out an almighty roar.
The American proceeded to shake hands with Sabalenka, before taking in the adulation from the crowd and once again celebrating vociferously.
“So much heart, and what a great experience for her to overcome!” Courier [pictured below, left] said.
“Not just the world number one, she had to overcome the moment. She was definitely feeling the intensity, the tension, but I just loved her reaction afterwards.
“She kept it all bottled up throughout the course of it, but she finally let it go.
“So Hailey Baptiste having a career week here. It is awesome to see.”
Courier also remarked on Sabalenka’s performance, praising the world number one’s reaction to losing match point opportunities.
“I also thought Sabalenka was impressive, the way that she handled the disappointment out there and just turned at one point,” the American said.
How many Grand Slams will Aryna Sabalenka win this year?
She looks unstoppable right now!
“She turned around after a match point went away and just said, ‘next one.’ That’s the mark of a champion who can think that clearly in those stressful moments.
“So she’s got more good stuff ahead of her this clay court season I think too. But Hailey Baptiste, certainly the story in Madrid today.”
What next for Aryna Sabalenka?
After exiting the Madrid Open, Sabalenka will travel east to Rome for the Italian Open.
Sabalenka will be hoping to improve upon her result at the 2025 event: she lost in the quarter-finals to 2024 Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng.
After competing in Italy, Sabalenka will aim to win her first Roland Garros title.
Sabalenka reached the final in Paris last year, before losing to Coco Gauff in three sets.