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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
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
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.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
There are times when players get distracted if their opponents are struggling physically, but that was not the case for Li who is a native of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
She will face Leylah Fernandez on Monday. Li has beaten Fernandez in both of their previous meetings, including last year in Madrid in the Round of 64.
On Sunday, Gauff, Pegula, and Caty McNally will play their Round of 32 matches and hope to join Baptiste and Li in the Round of 16.
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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.
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Aug 31, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Ann Li (USA) hits to Jessica Pegula (USA) (not pictured) on day eight of the 2025 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
There are times when players get distracted if their opponents are struggling physically, but that was not the case for Li who is a native of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
She will face Leylah Fernandez on Monday. Li has beaten Fernandez in both of their previous meetings, including last year in Madrid in the Round of 64.
On Sunday, Gauff, Pegula, and Caty McNally will play their Round of 32 matches and hope to join Baptiste and Li in the Round of 16.
Continue reading...
