Hailey Baptiste, Ann Li are first Americans in Madrid Open Round of 16
The depth of talented American women in WTA tennis is astounding, evidenced by the performances of Hailey Baptiste and Ann Li at the Mutua Madrid Open on Saturday. Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, and Madison Keys are Grand Slam champions. Amanda Anisimova and Jessica Pegula are Grand Slam finalists.
Teenager Iva Jovic is rising in the rankings. It is not often fans are talking about Baptiste and Li. That is about to change as Baptiste and Li find themselves in the Round of 16.
MORE: Is Zeynep Sonmez the 2026 version of Alexandra Eala World No. 32 Baptiste dominated Paolini Baptiste, 24, is not a one win wonder. On Saturday, she defeated Jasmine Paolini in straight sets and recorded an astonishing 14 aces in the process.
The Washington, DC native has also beaten Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko this year. On Monday, she will play Belinda Bencic for the first time. MORE: Who steps up in Carlos Alcaraz’s absence at the French Open World No.
34 Li kept her composure against Swiatek Li, 25, recorded her first-ever Top 5 win against Iga Swiatek on Saturday. While Swiatek was dealing with an illness, all credit goes to Li for keeping her composure and staying the course against a player who was pushing herself to the physical limit. Aug 31, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Ann Li (USA) hits to Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2025 U.