Hailey Baptiste vs. Aryna Sabalenka Miami Open quarterfinals Hailey Baptiste, the 24-year-old American tennis player ranked No. 45 in the world, is set to face top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the Miami Open quarterfinals at Hard Rock Stadium. This marks Baptiste’s first WTA 1000 quarterfinal and her first encounter with a reigning World No. 1. The match, part of the evening draw, highlights her rapid ascent in the sport, a journey that began a decade ago with the support of her family and community. Baptiste’s path to professional tennis was shaped by a combination of determination and financial sacrifice. A decade ago, her mother, Shari Baptiste, launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of her daughter’s junior tennis training. At the time, Hailey was 15, and the family struggled to afford the expenses of competing at a high level. Shari described the journey as “just the beginning,” emphasizing how Hailey’s talent and passion for the game had led them to this moment. The campaign raised $6,739 toward a $25,000 goal, a testament to the community’s support. Since turning pro at 16, Baptiste has become one of the rising stars of U.S. tennis. She has earned over $2.9 million in prize money and reached a career-high ranking of No. 39. Her recent success includes reaching the third round of the Australian Open, the semifinals at Abu Dhabi, and a strong showing at the Miami Open, where she is making her sixth appearance. Before this year, her best result at the tournament was a third-round loss to Naomi Osaka, another player with Haitian heritage. Baptiste’s growth as a player has been marked by increased confidence and technical refinement. She credits her recent progress to improved mental focus and physical conditioning.#aryna_sabalenka #miami_open #frances_tiafoe #hailey_baptiste #shari_baptiste
