Sara Bejlek and Hailey Baptiste Reach First WTA Semifinals in Abu Dhabi Breakthrough Performances

Two rising stars will make their WTA semifinal debuts on Friday at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, as qualifier Sara Bejlek and wild card Hailey Baptiste both celebrated breakthrough performances to reach the final four in the United Arab Emirates. The 20-year-old Bejlek demolished Sonay Kartal 6-0, 6-2 in just 63 minutes during Thursday's quarterfinal action, delivering a flawless display of aggressive baseline tennis. Baptiste, meanwhile, survived her third consecutive three-set battle of the week, outlasting fifth seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to secure her historic semifinal berth. Bejlek's dominant quarterfinal performance showcased the Czech player's immense potential and marked the culmination of an impressive week that began in qualifying. The young talent has dropped just one set throughout her entire run in Abu Dhabi, combining powerful groundstrokes with exceptional court coverage to overwhelm more experienced opponents. Her reward is a semifinal clash with third seed Clara Tauson, who advanced with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory over McCartney Kessler. Tauson's experience at this level could prove crucial, but Bejlek has shown no signs of intimidation against higher-ranked opposition. Baptiste's journey to the semifinals has been considerably more dramatic, with the 23-year-old American forced to dig deep in three consecutive grueling matches. The wild card entry has showcased remarkable mental fortitude and physical conditioning to win three straight three-setters, a feat that has become her tournament trademark. Her quarterfinal victory over Samsonova represented her biggest scalp of the week, with the Russian ranked significantly higher and possessing far more tour-level experience. Baptiste's ability to close out tight matches will be tested again in Friday's semifinal against second seed Ekaterina Alexandrova. Alexandrova reached the semifinals by ending the fairy tale run of Filipino sensation Alex Eala, who had captured hearts with a dramatic second-round comeback. Eala had saved a match point and recovered from 4-0 down in that earlier round, but couldn't reproduce the same magic against the experienced Russian. Alexandrova's powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make her the favorite against Baptiste, though the American's recent track record in three-set battles suggests she won't be easily dismissed. Friday's semifinals at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open promise compelling contrasts in styles and experience. For Bejlek and Baptiste, simply reaching this stage represents a career-defining achievement and a potential springboard to bigger things on the WTA Tour. Both young players have demonstrated the quality and mental strength required to compete at the highest level, and their semifinal performances will provide valuable insight into their readiness for sustained success. With both seeking their first WTA final appearance, Friday's action in Abu Dhabi could mark the emergence of two new stars on the women's tennis circuit.