Hailey Baptiste is preparing to face Barbora Krejcikova at Roland-Garros. Krejcikova, the champion in 2021 and at Wimbledon two years ago, has been hampered by injuries for the past 18 months. These injuries include a back issue last year and a thigh problem that cost her three months of this season. Baptiste is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career.
Baptiste’s Buoyant Form
Baptiste’s seeding comes after a sensational run in Madrid. She powered into the semifinals, taking out Aryna Sabalenka along the way. That propelled her to a career-high ranking of No.25, though she is currently No.26.
“It’s my first Slam being seeded, so that’s pretty exciting,” she told The National newspaper. “You know, you’re not so much of an underdog anymore. And it’s one of my favourite Slams. The red clay I really, really love, so I’m super excited. And, yeah, I have a different kind of confidence coming in this year because I have had some success here and I’m at a career high, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Her best result at any major is reaching the fourth round at Roland-Garros last year. She won their last encounter two years ago in Wuhan. Krejcikova’s only win over Baptiste was in 2019, when Baptiste was a teenager.
Krejcikova’s Comeback Trail
Krejcikova is easing along the comeback path. Her return to the courts after that thigh injury came in Rome and ended in the second round against Sabalenka. From there, she dropped down to a WTA 125 event and lost in the final. She was beaming when she got her runner’s-up salver. It was another step forward, albeit a small one.
Zverev’s Perspective
Alexander Zverev is also competing at Roland-Garros. He finds himself as the No.2 seed, without Alcaraz. He is feeling fit and free of the back pain that had plagued him for months. Zverev has never played Benjamin Bonzi before but ranked 95 places above him at No.3 in the world, Zverev should get his campaign off to a flying start.
Twelve months on and with the wind in her sails, anything could be possible for Baptiste at Roland-Garros.