Australian Open : Baptiste outlasts Townsend in All-American thriller to snap losing streak
Hailey Baptiste won against Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 on Sunday
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Hailey Baptiste won the battle of the Americans on Sunday night, defeating lucky loser Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-7(3), 6-3 to reach the second round of the Australian Open.
The world No 65 showed great composure to secure her first win of the 2026 season, successfully snapping a five-match losing streak that had stretched back to October.
Baptiste’s clever variety and tactical play were on full display as she navigated a tricky encounter against Townsend, who entered the draw as a late replacement for Marketa Vondrousova. After comfortably taking the opening set, Baptiste was forced into a decider after a resurgent Townsend claimed the second-set tiebreak. However, the 24-year-old recalibrated in the final set to close out the match and secure her third career appearance in an Australian Open second round.
Baptiste : “Agressive in the third”
“It was obviously a pretty tough match”, Baptiste said. “It was pretty smooth in the beginning. I was playing well, feeling good. Then she raised her level a bit, and we had a super tight second set. I ad some chances to get close, but ended up splitting. I was able to come out on top and play pretty confident and aggressive in the third. So I was happy with it.”
Baptiste awaits the winner of the first-round match between Australian qualifier Storm Hunter and Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
