Andreeva fends off Baptiste challenge to reach Madrid Open final
MADRID: A disciplined Mirra Andreeva saw off a late challenge from Hailey Baptiste to prevail 6-4 7-6(8) in a battle of nerves on Thursday to reach the final of the Madrid Open. Andreeva, who turned 19 on Wednesday, will face Marta Kostyuk or Anastasia Potapova in the final of the claycourt tournament, with the two set to face off later in the day. “I feel so much adrenaline inside, I feel like I’m still nervous,” Andreeva said in the post-match interview. “Honestly, I’m just so happy that I won... I’m very happy with how I served today.” Baptiste had shocked world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals, but the 24-year-old struggled as ninth seed Andreeva conceded only two points on serve in the first set. The American stood firm until the seventh game, when Baptiste’s forehand landed wide, handing Andreeva a break point.