Djokovic beats Norrie to join Nadal in French Open century club
The seventh-seeded Keys cantered through the opening set before Baptiste broke for 3-1 in the second, pushing the Australian Open champion to the limit on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
Baptiste eventually cracked, allowing her opponent and friend to set up a meeting with second seed Coco Gauff in the next round, ensuring an American presence in the semifinals.
'Hailey is such an amazing player, it was such a tough second set. Today I just had to kind of make as many balls as possible,' said Keys.
The 30-year-old could count on the support of new US Billie Jean King Cup captain and former coach Lindsay Davenport plus 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who is sidelined through injury and was also watching from the stands.
'We've a lot of really great players constantly helping us, inspiring us and if we have any questions they're of great help. It's great being friends with such amazing players,' she added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
WTC final: Proteas not underdogs, says Dane Paterson
EVENLY MATCHED Proteas fast bowler Dane Paterson (pictured) asserts that South Africa are not underdogs against Australia in the WTC final at Lord's. Picture: Nokwanda Zondi, BackpagePix While many will fancy Australia as the favourites in the World Test Championship (WTC) against South Africa, Proteas quick Dane Paterson believes otherwise. The WTC starts on Wednesday at Lord's, in London, and Paterson, who played seven Tests for SA between 2020 and 2024, said the conditions will be foreign for both sides. With no hint of rain predicted for the first two days of the clash, making the most of the best batting conditions could prove pivotal. Using the dukes cricket ball could take some adjustment, but if they are asked to bowl first, the Proteas attack led by Kagiso Rabada would be up to the task, believed Paterson.
IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
Graeme Smith stands firmly behind Temba Bavuma and the Proteas squad in WTC final
QUEST FOR GLORY FILE. Graeme Smith (pictured right) has thrown his support behind Temba Bavuma and the Proteas ahead of the WTC final against Australia at Lord's, urging South Africans to rally behind the team for glory. Picture: BackpagePix Graeme Smith has unsurprisingly given the Proteas team his full backing ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final next week against Australia, at Lord's, in London. Smith was captain of the Proteas for over 11 years from 2003 to 2014, and ended holding the record for most matches as a Test captain with his tally of 109. In that time, Smith led the Proteas to the number one ranking in Test cricket in what would effectively be considered the WTC now back in 2012. Fittingly, Smith achieved that feat at Lord's to make it all the more memorable. Now, Smith hoped to see current skipper Temba Bavuma notch up that same milestone.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
Bavuma's long road to Lord's: Proteas skipper eyes Test mace glory
Temba Bavuma will lead the Proteas in the World Test Championship final, starting next week, against Australia, hoping to capture the Test mace for the country. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagpix It is very hard to compare the journey that Temba Bavuma has had to undertake to get to where he is now — leading the Proteas Test team ahead of next week's World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord's. The 35-year-old has endured all kinds of challenges in his career, and many of them have had little to do with his on-field performances. He has faced abuse on social media when results have not gone his way, and received scant credit when he has single-handedly carried the team. Considering his journey — and given that Bavuma has now proven himself to many of his critics — there is growing hope that the Test mace will be the first of many trophies he brings home during his tenure as captain. It seems the stars may finally be aligning for a man who has had to endure more hardship than celebration, to bring long-awaited glory to South African cricket — an environment that so desperately needs positive news. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Speaking to the media before boarding a flight to the UK last week, Bavuma admitted that winning the Test mace would bring meaning to everything he has gone through. 'It's a key moment within my career as a leader. I think it will give credence to everything that I've gone through. There's always that question at the back of your mind — 'Is everything that you're doing, everything that you're going through, worth it?'' said Bavuma. 'But then, when you're in moments like these, where you have the opportunity to do something special — not just for yourself but for the nation — it gives you a little bit of motivation and comfort that everything that you're going through is worth it.' Similarly, for many senior players in the Test team — such as Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram and Keshav Maharaj — who have endured a tough rebuilding phase marked by the loss of sponsors and South Africa's fall from grace as a top Test side, winning the mace would be a worthy reward for their resilience. 'I think it's a key moment for a lot of us within the team. A lot of the guys put a lot of significance behind Test cricket. When we speak about a legacy that we want to leave behind, Test cricket is right there at the top,' said Bavuma. 'We're embracing everything that's to come. We'd love there to be that kind of fairytale story in the result. But in terms of just savouring it all, enjoying the moment, and looking to play your best cricket — that really doesn't change. 'But yes, for me, for the team, and for the coach as well, I think winning the Test mace is right up there among the biggest moments of our careers.' Bavuma was injured after the ICC Champions Trophy and missed the tail end of the Four-Day Series at home. As a result, some may be concerned about his form or lack of game time ahead of the WTC final. However, those who follow the game closely will recall that Bavuma returned from a nearly three-month layoff last year — having missed the Bangladesh tour — only to score two centuries and three fifties in seven innings during the home summer. The 35-year-old also showed promising form in Arundel on Wednesday, cruising to an unbeaten 58 during the warm-up match against Zimbabwe. 'I feel like I'm moving nicely. The eyes haven't gone as of yet — which becomes a problem when you're 35,' Bavuma joked. 'But yes, I still feel good mentally. Mentally, I feel fresh — that's the biggest thing. Physically, I keep managing my elbow. The hamstrings are good. So, I'm good to go,' he concluded.
