American wildcard Hailey Baptiste delivered an impressive performance at the 2025 Miami Open, where she triumphed over Daria Kasatkina, ranked 12th in the world, with a score of 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. This victory propels her into the third round of the prestigious tournament held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on March 20, 2025. Baptiste, who began her campaign against Olga Danilovic, won in three sets: 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, marking a significant turnaround in her tournament fortunes.
Kasatkina, who entered the match with a first-round bye, had a mixed season thus far. Although she reached the last eight in Adelaide and the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year, her form dipped during the Middle East swing, where she exited early in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Most recently, she faced defeat at the BNP Paribas Open, where she was defeated by Liudmila Samsonova after initially winning against Sofia Kenin.
The encounter between Baptiste and Kasatkina showcased Baptiste's resilience. After losing the first set, the American turned the match around by breaking Kasatkina’s serve and holding her own. The second set ended with a competitive score, paving the way for Baptiste's decisive triumph in the third set. This was her first victory over a top-20 player this season, further validating her potential on the WTA circuit.
With this match, Baptiste also extends her head-to-head record with Kasatkina to 1-1 after winning their only previous encounter at the Korea Open last year. Notably, Baptiste has now advanced to the third round of a WTA 1000 tournament for the second time in her career. The Miami Open features a total prize money pool of $8,963,700, which increases the stakes for all players involved.
In the next round, Baptiste will face the winner of the match between Naomi Osaka and Liudmila Samsonova. Osaka, a former World No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam champion, has been on a return to form, recently defeating both Yulia Starodubtseva and Samsonova in earlier rounds of the tournament.
Osaka's own journey through the Miami Open has seen her wrestle her way back after facing challenges in the first round. Before facing Kasatkina, the Japanese tennis star had delivered convincing performances, reinforcing her reputation as a formidable competitor. Baptiste's ability to challenge seasoned players like Osaka will surely be tested in the upcoming round.
As the tournament progresses, Baptiste’s growing confidence may play a pivotal role in her performance against Osaka. Despite the challenges she faces, her tenacity and determination have already made a significant impact at the Miami Open. This latest victory will undoubtedly provide her with the momentum she needs heading further into the tournament as she continues to rise through the WTA rankings.
