Aryna Sabalenka stunned as American rising star pulls off 'career-defining' win at Madrid Open
World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has been handed just her second loss of 2026, knocked out of the Madrid Open in the semi-finals by American Hailey Baptiste.
The American – who had never before beaten a top-five player – saved six match points in the 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) win that lasted two-and-a-half hours on Wednesday morning (AEST).
Baptiste also overcame 10 double points, faced 17 break points, and served at just 55 per cent on her way to a shock victory.
READ MORE: Chiefs fume at Johnston for leaking bogus signing news
READ MORE: World Cup stars to be red carded for bizarre new reason
READ MORE: Hird slams 'totally unfair' change set to smash three clubs
Aryna Sabalenka was handed just her second defeat of the year. Getty
Heading into the match, Sabalenka had dropped only three sets in the fifteen matches since losing the Australian Open final to Elena Rybakina.
She looked as if she was well on her way to another dominant victory when she cruised through the first set in under 40 minutes.
But the 24-year-old Baptiste fought back in the second – she sent down six aces and converted four of five break points to send the match to a deciding third.
Watch grand slam tennis and the WTA Tour on Stan Sport, ad-free, live and on demand
Down 5-4, Baptiste saved five match points and then a sixth in the tiebreak. She booked her maiden appearance in a WTA 1000 semi final with a ripping forehand winner that caught the back corner.
"Moments that can become career-building, career-defining," commentator Kevin Skinner said.
"Knocking off the world No.1 to earn your spot in your first WTA 1000 semi final … the biggest win of her career."
Baptiste after securing the victory. Getty
It looked as if it took a moment for Baptiste to realise she had won the match, before letting rip with an almighty roar. The third set lasted nearly as long as the first two combined.
Such was the closeness of the match, Sabalenka won 104 points to Baptiste's 103.
Baptiste will now face another top-10 opponent in the semi final, Mirra Andreeva, who dispatched Leylah Fernandez in straight sets earlier in the evening local time.
