The depth of gifted American girls in WTA tennis is astounding, evidenced by the performances of Hailey Baptiste and Ann Li on 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 shouldn’t be usually followers are speaking about Baptiste and Li.
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That is about to alter as Baptiste and Li discover themselves in the Round of 16.
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World No. 32 Baptiste dominated Paolini
Baptiste, 24, shouldn’t be a one win marvel. On Saturday, she defeated Jasmine Paolini in straight units and recorded an astonishing 14 aces in the method. The Washington, DC native has additionally overwhelmed Elina Svitolina and Jelena Ostapenko this yr.
On Monday, she’s going to play Belinda Bencic for the first time.
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World No. 34 Li saved her composure in opposition to Swiatek
Li, 25, recorded her first-ever Top 5 win in opposition to Iga Swiatek on Saturday. While Swiatek was coping with an sickness, all credit score goes to Li for maintaining her composure and staying the course in opposition to a participant who was pushing herself to the bodily restrict.
There are occasions when gamers get distracted if their opponents are struggling bodily, however that was not the case for Li who’s a local of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania.
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She will face Leylah Fernandez on Monday. Li has overwhelmed Fernandez in each of their earlier conferences, together with final yr in Madrid in the Round of 64.
On Sunday, Gauff, Pegula, and Caty McNally will play their Round of 32 matches and hope to affix Baptiste and Li in the Round of 16.
