Hailey Baptiste has admitted she is ‘super excited’ to play doubles with Venus Williams after surviving a first round scare against Barbora Krejcikova at Roland Garros.
The American has had a positive clay court season so far with the main highlight being defeating Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid.
However, that hard work almost went up in flames as Baptiste survived a massive scare against former champion Barbora Krejcikova.
After saving match points in the second set Baptiste secured a 6-7 7-6 6-2 victory to secure a place in the second round.
In her post-match press conference Baptiste was relieved to get over the finishing line and pointed to her decision-making needing some improving as she goes forward in her career, “Yeah, it was a very close first two sets, 7-6, 6-7, and I had set points in both sets that I wasn’t able to convert, but I just stayed tough,” Baptiste stated.
“Saved a couple of match points in the second, and somehow got over the finish line. Yeah, I mean, it’s definitely something that I’ve struggled with throughout my career. I think that in the end I just tried to make a solid decision. Sometimes I can’t help myself but do something that’s so stupid it’s unbelievable.
“I guess it’s more just reaction and yeah, hope that I make a smart decision.”
The improvement of decision-making on court comes from experience and natural instinct as Baptiste continues evolve as a player.
The American detailed how she’s learnt to trust her game as she is starting to rapidly climb up the rankings, “I feel like I’m old enough and experienced enough to know how I should play and know what’s right when I’m on the court,” Baptiste stated.
“I really think I should just trust my gut whenever I’m on the court. There’s going to be times where obviously your coach is going to tell you to do something different. I mean, there’s times where you listen, and there’s times where you are, like, okay, no, I know that I should do this instead because that’s the way you feel.
“Yeah, I mean, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about myself over the last few years and my game. It all boils down to just trusting my mind and what I’ve done in the past.”
Baptiste will now face Xiyu Wang in the second round on Wednesday but singles is not the only discipline the American is competing in at Roland Garros.
The 26th seed is also competing in doubles where she will partner Venus Williams and the 24 year-old she is ‘super excited’ about that prospect, “I mean, I’m super excited to play with her. I think we can do really well,” Baptiste explained.
“She’s obviously an incredible player, and we’ve played doubles once before. She’s unbelievable at the net and super solid from the back, great serve, great return. So I think that we can do well, and I’m excited.”
The duo will face Miyu Kato and Giuliana Olmos in the first round of the Women’s doubles draw.
