Hailey Baptiste shocks world number one Aryna Sabalenka at Madrid Open

The contest lasted just over two and a half hours, with the 30th seed showing resilience after dropping the opening set 2-6.

She responded strongly in the second set, converting three of four break-point opportunities to level the match 6-2.

The deciding set delivered high drama. Baptiste trailed 5-4 and saved five match points on serve before breaking Sabalenka for a third time in the final set, giving herself a chance to serve for the match.

Sabalenka broke back and later held a sixth match point at 6-5 in the tie-break, but Baptiste held firm, winning three consecutive points to seal victory 8-6.

"She played really brave tennis on those match points," Sabalenka said.

"In the first game of the second set, I double faulted twice out of nowhere. That gave her belief. She started playing aggressively. What can I say? Well done."

The result marks Baptiste's first win over a top-five player and only the second time Sabalenka has been beaten this season, after Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.

She will face world number nine Mirra Andreeva in the semi-finals after the Russian defeated Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. 

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