Madrid – WTA way to the semi-finals
Mutua Madrid Open 2026 changed a lot on the women’s side, and yesterday’s quarterfinals not only decided the players who entered the semi finals—they completely changed the story of this tournament.
In the middle of it all is Hailey Baptiste, who presented what has been called one of the performances of the season. America’s surprising No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2–6, 6–2, 7–6(6), saves six game points in a remarkable comeback that lasted two and a half hours.
Susan Mullane | Credit: MAGN PHOTOS
It wasn’t just the biggest win of his career—it was his first at the top level 5 a player and a moment that truly heralded his arrival at the highest level. The match itself fluctuated a lot: Sabalenka dominated early, Baptiste responded with fearless aggression in the second set, and the third was a test of nerves in which the American showed remarkable composure under great pressure.
Baptiste now takes his first position WTA 1000 semi-final, where he will face Mirra Andreeva. The young Russian earned her spot with a straight sets win over Leylah Fernandez, continuing her impressive rise and setting up an intriguing clash between two of the tournament’s most fearless players.
In the other half of the draw, Anastasia Potapova continues her improbable run. Entering the tournament as “loser’s luck,” she defeated Karolína Plíšková 6–1, 6–7, 6–3 to reach the semi-finals, I was the first player in this category to go so far in a WTA 1000 event. His ability to stay aggressive while controlling the momentum of the swing has made him one of the most dangerous players left in the draw.
Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk, who comes in strong form after a strong win over Linda Nosková. Kostyuk’s consistency on the wall and in tactical training contrasts sharply with Potapova’s more explosive style, making for a semi-final that can depend on rhythm and control.
Looking ahead to today’s semi-finals, the tournament feels wide open. Baptiste vs. Andreeva is a conflict of energy and belief – one player is coming out of an emotional victory, which defines the work, the other is slowly building up with maturity beyond his years. Handling nerves after a very intense quarterfinal could be Baptiste’s biggest challenge, while Andreeva may look to exploit any emotional or physical slump.
On the other hand, Potapova vs. Kostyuk presents a different dynamic: uncertainty versus structure. Potapova has already proven she can survive chaotic matches, while Kostyuk may try to impose order and extend rallies to draw mistakes.
With the top seed out and no clear favorite left, Madrid is now guaranteed to be the new champion. What started as a competition shaped by expectations has turned into one driven by opportunity—and when you reach the semifinals, it feels like anything is possible.
