By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, June 2, 2025
Photo credit: Tony Chang/Chang Photography
Madison Keys has triumphed over an emerging American star to secure her spot in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros.
Next up for her: Coco Gauff, the reigning top-ranked American player.
No. 7-seeded Keys defeated Hailey Baptiste with a score of 6-3, 7-5 in the fourth round, marking her third quarterfinal appearance in Paris.
After previously toppling Iga Swiatek and No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, Keys is in pursuit of an elusive Calendar Grand Slam if she wins in Paris.
Keys secures victory in an all-American showdown! 💪
🔜 On to the #RolandGarros quarterfinals! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/vZ4G2kViRL— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2025
“I’m thrilled to still be competing here. Things were almost out of reach in my last match against Sofia Kenin when I saved three match points,” Keys reflected. “I think it allows me to play a bit more freely, knowing the close calls I’ve had.”
“It’s a mixture of gratitude for still being in the tournament and seizing the opportunity today—I aimed to play consistently well.”
Keys started strong in the first set as her less-experienced opponent struggled. Baptiste, who has declared clay her preferred surface, eventually found her rhythm in the second set. Though she gained an early service break, Baptiste faltered, giving away her serve at love to level it at 2-3.
As the set progressed, Baptiste, 23, managed to keep pace with Keys, even coming close to forcing a third set. Displaying her strong all-court game, Baptiste surged ahead to 5-4 after Keys narrowly missed a forehand return on a break point. However, Keys’ experience proved pivotal. After leveling the match at 5-all, she shifted the pressure onto Baptiste’s serve.
With a sizzling 97 MPH forehand winner, Keys put herself in a commanding position at 15-40. Following up with another powerful down-the-line forehand, she clinched the break for 6-5. Serving for the match, Keys blocked out a break point threat and ultimately ended the contest with a stunning crosscourt forehand winner.
.@Madison_Keys shines under the Paris sun! pic.twitter.com/O0sgLHBfQx
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 2, 2025
Next, Keys will face a well-known rival, No. 2 seed Coco Gauff.
This marks their sixth head-to-head encounter, with their last match taking place in Madrid in 2024. Keys recognizes Gauff’s formidable prowess on clay.
“Coco is truly dominant on this surface; it’s likely her strongest,” Keys acknowledged in a Paris press briefing. “It’s a significant challenge. For me, it’ll be a matter of balancing aggressiveness while recognizing that with her exceptional court coverage, winning the point might require repeated efforts.”
“It’s challenging when up against someone like her who moves so well. If at any moment I lose control, she’ll seize the opportunity to attack.”
Having faced Gauff, 21, over the years, Keys, 30, remains in awe of how the younger player handles the spotlight and pressure.
“I’m continually impressed with how she manages it because she has received even more media attention than I did at her age,” Keys said. “It hasn’t always been easy for me, but she seems to navigate it effortlessly while remaining true to herself, which I greatly admire.”
